ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



about the same height ; away by the lodge in the 

 occupation of Mr. Christopher J. H. Tower, who has 

 the Callater shooting and deer forest. Then soon 

 Braemar is reached, and we put up at the Invercauld 

 Arms, a noted hotel, greatly frequented by tourists 

 who visit this part of the Highlands. By this time 

 I was chilled to the bone, and gladly availed myself 

 of the opportunity of partaking of some real Scotch 

 broth, in order to counteract the effects of the long 

 cold drive of three hours. 



A charming and prosperous place is Braemar, 

 studded with comfortable residences; the River Dee 

 tumbling and dashing along its rocky course, crossing 

 which you come to another grand hotel, The Fife Arms, 

 which also enjoys a large amount of patronage. By 

 this time the hour was near at hand when the sports 

 were to commence, and I made my way to the appointed 

 place and found a number of persons assembled in the 

 vicinity of the ruins of the castle, which are, to some 

 extent, restored and fitted up for the occasion, one 

 room being prepared for the ball which was to be a 

 suitable conclusion to this festive gathering. I then 

 learnt that, to the great disappointment of all present, 

 the Queen would not attend the sports on this occasion; 

 a fact which was due in all probability to the extreme 

 coldness of the weather. Another cause of regret was 

 the absence of Colonel Farquharson, who was called 

 .away by the severe illness of his brother ; the duty of 

 directing the sports and entertaining the numerous 

 visitors falling upon Mr. Foggo, the factor of the 

 Invercauld estates, who most assiduously and pleasantly 

 performed the role of master of the ceremonies, dis- 

 charging to the satisfaction of all present the duties 



