HIGHLANDS OF PERTHSHIRE. 53 



etc., on the one side, and on the other charming peeps, through 

 the trees which clothe the east side of the hill, of Taymouth 

 Castle and grounds, Kenmore, Aberfeldie, the braes of Dull, 

 etc. etc. 



In the evening we walked along the Aberfeldie road, which skirts 

 another side of the park, and visited the battery opposite to the 

 castle. This has the fame of affording one of the finest views in 

 Scotland : it is worth seeing. On this platform there are mounted 

 several guns, not for the protection of the castle, but to announce 

 great events. Happily the guns are now only employed on festive 

 occasions. Here there is a very complete museum, where speci- 

 mens of all the quadrupeds and birds, or portions of them, that 

 have been killed on the estate are preserved. The wild cats are 

 large and singularly handsome. Of the birds, the eagles, caper- 

 cailzies, etc. are the most interesting. The floor is very appro- 

 priately carpeted with skins of divers kinds of beasts killed on 

 the Marquis's estate. 



The next day, the 20th, was the day of rest, and we attended 

 Divine service in the parish church of Kenmore. There is a 

 zigzag road leading up the steep hill to Grief. From some of 

 the angles of this road exquisite views of the Lake and of Tay- 

 mouth' s noble halls, fine trees and extensive park, are to be had. 

 This road leads over an immense tract of table-land at a con- 

 siderable elevation above the vale. About four miles from Ken- 

 more the summit is attained, where there is nothing to be seen 

 but barren wilds of immense extent, and dreary waste, abound- 

 ing in moor game and little flocks of timid sheep, and here and 

 there a few red deer. The distance between Kenmore and Grief 

 is above twenty miles. 



The greater part of the 21st was devoted to the park and gar- 

 dens of Taymouth : both are very extensive. But we did not go 

 to the Highlands to see parks and gardens; although, to say 

 the truth, few more magnificent parks than Taymouth are to be 

 seen : environed on all sides by lofty hills, clothed to their sum- 

 mits with thriving woods, watered by two grand rivers, the Tay 

 and the Lyon, and possessing as much variety in level lawn, 

 sloping banks, and swelling hills as fall to the general lot even of 

 parks ; and the whole is ornamented with the noblest specimens 

 of Beech, Chestnut, Oak, Fir, Birch, and other trees. There is 

 a celebrated avenue of Limes, a mile long. The extent of Tay- 



