DUNROBIN 



SUTHERLAND 



IUNROBIN CASTLE occupies on the 

 east coast a position similar to that of 

 Culzean Castle on the west. Each is built 

 on the summit of a high sea cliff, the 

 broad Moray Firth stretches in front 

 of one as the spacious Firth of Clyde does before 

 the other; and each has been in possession of the 

 same family from a time anterior to any written 

 record. We find, at least, no documentary evidence 

 of the ownership of Dunrobin previous to 1197, when 

 the territory of Sutherland was forfeited by Harold 

 Maddadson, Norse Earl of Caithness, for rebellion, 

 and bestowed by William the Lion upon Hugh, son 

 of Freskin the Fleming. From this Hugh the present 

 Duke of Sutherland traces direct descent through his 

 great-grandmother, Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir 

 of the nineteenth Earl of Sutherland. 



In yet another respect these two houses enjoy a 

 common characteristic, inasmuch as the climate of 

 Dunrobin is almost, if not quite, as favourable to the 

 growth of choice and delicate vegetation as that of 



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