IIO JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



In the middle of its course, just under the rounded top 

 of Hermit's Seat, the north-west shoulder of Benachie, lies 

 the small village of Auchleven, or the Smooth Field, a title 

 which sufficiently indicates the feeling of rural seclusion that 

 pervades the scene. It stands on the road between the 

 Vale of Alford and the country town of Insch, where there 

 is now a station on the railway, never dreamt of in John 

 Duncan's time. Auchleven is a clean, tidy little village, 

 with its shops and its public school, and a carding-mill 

 driven by the Gadie, which here does practical work, 

 theme though it be of poetical honours. It is overshadowed 

 on the south by the huge bulk of Benachie, though its 

 picturesque peak is out of sight at this point, and it is 

 within view, on the other side, of the curious ruin of 

 Dunnideer on its conical hill, a conspicuous object seen 

 from far. The district has long been inhabited, and has 

 numerous standing stones, circles, and cairns, that carry us 

 back to prehistoric times. 



To this quiet countiy village came John Duncan, about 

 1823, and here he remained for several years, returning to 

 it again before he finally settled down at Droughsburn 

 near Alford. Like Charles Black and all those who have 

 roamed by its banks and braes, he had a great affection 

 for this green hollow, and the stream that waters it. He 

 could utter his feelings with literal truth, in the words of 

 one of the songs composed in its honour : 



" I've roamed by Tweed, I've roamed by Tay, 

 By border Nith and Highland Spey, 

 But dearer far to me than they 



Are the braes o' Benachie." 



In Auchleven, John seems to have been happier, better 



