THE BRAEMAR GATHERING. 61 



which devolved upon him in the absence of the 

 laird. 



First to appear upon the scene were the men of 

 Invercauld, who, headed by their pipers, all being in 

 full costume, marched proudly on to the ground, and 

 took up their position, ready to give a cordial reception 

 to the Earl of Fife and his Highlanders, who followed 

 quickly, preceded by no less than five pipers. Cordial 

 was the greeting given to them, and loud and long 

 continued the cheers as they drew up opposite to the 

 retainers of Colonel Farquharson : the scene at this 

 time was exciting in the extreme, and one could not 

 fail but to be pleased with the appearance of the fine 

 body of men assembled to compete for the prizes and 

 honours of the meeting in amicable rivalry. With 

 little loss of time the sports commenced, and prodigious 

 were the feats of strength and skill that were performed 

 in throwing the heavy hammer, putting the stone, 

 tossing the caber. Then followed what was to me the 

 most pleasing part of the day's festivity, the spirited 

 dancing of these agile men in the four-handed reels, 

 which were executed most cleverly, and at the same 

 time gracefully and with great spirit ; and to ordinary 

 observers it was not easy to decide who was entitled 

 to the palm of victory, so excellent were the com- 

 petitors in the arduous and difficult trial of skill and 

 endurance. Judging from the applause which followed, 

 it would appear to be a most popular pastime. A 

 propos to the appearance of the Highlanders when 

 habited in full costume, an amusing anecdote is told 

 of the late keeper on Rhidorach, who on the occasion, 

 some years since, of a visit that was paid by the Queen 

 to the Laird of Invercauld, in reply to a question put 



