134 DEN OF ABERDOUR. CHAP. vin. 



thrushes, blackbirds, and linnets haunt the brush- 

 wood in varying numbers. 



The most picturesque and interesting of these 

 Dens are those of Troup, Auchmedden, and Aber- 

 dour. The Dens, when followed inland, are found to 

 branch out into various lesser Dens, until they be- 

 come lost in the moors and mosses of the interior. 

 The Den of Aberdour is particularly beautiful. At 



BAY OF ABKRDOCR. 



its northern extremity, near where it opens upon the 

 sea, the rift in the glen is almost overhung by the 

 ruins of the ancient Church of Aberdour,* said to 



* The modern church is at New Aberdour, nearer the centre of 

 the population ; but the churchyard at Old Aberdour is still used 

 as the parish bury ing-ground. Nothing can be more disgraceful 

 than the state of some of the country burying-places in Scotland. 

 The graves at Aberdour are covered with hemlocks and nettles ! 

 And yet some money seems to have been spent in " ornamenting " 

 the place. The ruins of the ancient church have actually been 

 " harled " that is, bespattered with a mixture of lime and gravel ! 



