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from where this stream enters it, and to where it is 

 joined by the river Ken, embraces a choice collec- 

 tion of fishing waters, all richly stocked with the 

 various kinds of fish for which it is celebrated. This 

 range of country on the Dee goes by the name of 

 the Glen Kens, and contains many rural scenes and 

 landscapes of singular beauty. Alexander Montgo- 

 mery, the Scottish poet, who nourished in the reign 

 of James VI., was born in this neighbourhood. In 

 his well-known work, " The Cherry and the Slae," 

 he describes some scenes on the river near to Tong- 

 land-hill, where it falls over some rocky eminences, 

 in the following lines : 



" But, as I lukit me alane, 



I saw a river rin 

 Out ower a steeple rock o' stane, 

 Syne lichtit in a linn ; 

 With tumbling and rumbling 

 Amang the rockies round ; 

 De vailing and falling 

 Into a pit profound." 



In the ancient history of Tongland Abbey, it is 

 mentioned that the people enjoyed great sport with 

 the salmon, which, in dry summers, could not get 

 beyond this cataract. " Here it is," says the his- 

 torian, " that the Viscount of Kenmure, as bailie of 

 the Abbey of Tongland, hath privilege of a Bailie- 

 day, prohibiting all persons from fishing in that 

 ' time, so that, on a day appointed, there is excellent 

 pastime ; the Viscount and his friends, with a mul- 

 titude of other persons, coming thither to the fishing 



