190 PALACE IN THE FOREST. 



The forest of Atholl seems to have been celebrated for 

 the sports it afforded for many ages. 



King Malcolm called Cean-Mohr (great head), who 

 reigned in Scotland from 1056 to 1093, frequently hunted 

 in it ; and many places in the forest are named after him, 

 such as King's Cairn, &c. 



The lord of Atholl Forest has the privilege of hunting 

 over the Lude property ; and the proprietor of the latter 

 is obliged to keep his ground clear of cattle and sheep for 

 the space of three weeks previous to a grand hunt, if 

 desired to do so. This right was kept up for a consider- 

 able period, but has not been exercised of late years. 



In Piscottie there is a description of an entertainment 

 given to royalty by the third Earl of Atholl, which, how- 

 ever well known, is of so splendid and unusual a character, 

 and so directly to the purpose, that I cannot, I think, 

 omit it with propriety. 



" In 1529, King James the Fifth passed to the High- 

 lands to hunt in Athole, and took with him his mother 

 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, and an ambassador of the 

 pope, who was in Scotland for the time. The Earl of 

 Athole hearing of the King's coming made great provision 

 for him in all things pertaining to a prince ; that he was 

 well served and eased with all things necessary to his 

 estate, as he had been in his own palace of Edinburgh. 

 For I heard say this noble Earl gart make a curious 

 palace to the King, to his mother, and to the ambassador, 

 where they were so honourably eased and lodged, as they 

 had been in England, France, Italy, or Spain, concerning 

 the time, and equivalent for their hunting and pastime ; 

 which was builded in the midst of a fair meadow, a fair 



