CAWDOR CASTLE 



Now the ass, being heavily laden with cash, which 

 tradition reports was contained in an iron chest, did 

 not wander far. It browsed its way slowly to a 

 knoll below the confluence of Allt Dearg and the 

 Rierach Burn, whereon grew three hawthorns, under 

 one of which it lay down. The castle keep was built 

 round the tree, which sceptics may handle and see 

 at this day, dry and sapless it is true, but still hard 

 and sound, rooted in the floor and built into the 

 vaulted roof of the donjon. Beside it lies the iron 

 coffer which once held the treasure, and from time to 

 time guests in the castle gather round these venerable 

 relics and quaff " Success to the hawthorn tree/' 

 though it has borne neither leaves nor flowers these 

 four hundred and fifty years. 



This keep is but the core of the vast pile which 

 now frowns down upon the beautiful garden repre- 

 sented in Miss Wilson's painting. The greater part 

 of the castle as it stands was the work of Colin 

 Campbell in 1639. How the Campbells came to 

 Cawdor is explained in several versions of a tradi- 

 tion, differing in detail, but agreeing in the main 

 facts. Here, briefly, is one account of the transaction 

 thoroughly in keeping with the times. 



Thane William, builder of the keep, was succeeded 

 by his son William, who had five sons, all of whom 

 were childless, except John, who married Isobel 

 Rose of Kilravock. John died in 1498, shortly after 

 the birth of his only child, Muriel, who, succeeding 

 to the thanedom and its ample revenues, instantly 



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