Among the adjacent lands, the plantations round Innes Houfe , a feat belonging 
to the Earl of Fife, claim particular notice : — the orchard and enclofures in a high 
ftate of cultivation j and his plantings, which begin to clothe the neighbouring 
hills with wood, add greatly to the beauty of the landfcape. On the other hand, 
the rude remains of Duffus Cajlle, and the vaft cathedral heaving its ruined pile 
into the fky, infinuate the ancient importance of thefe domains. 
The large tower of Spinie Cajlle has evidently been built as a place of ftrength 
and defence : it is vaulted throughout all the apartments to the top ; and on it is 
placed a watch tower, with a battlement round it. 
The gateway to the eaft is ftrongly fortified ; and the enormous portcullis, of 
mafly iron, bears awful teftimony to the age of danger in which it was hung- 
The clergy could not avoid fometimes fharing in the feuds and civil commotions 
of the country, and were therefore under the necefiity of preparing for themfelves 
places of refuge and fecurity in troublous times. But their policy and piety had 
been judicioufly mixed with thoughts of recreation ; for oppofite to the chapel, 
between the eaftern gate and the great tower, there are confpicuous veftiges of a 
fpacious tennis-court. 
P- 
Over the great gate is carved a fhield, with three ftars ; and the year marked, 
m.cccc.vi. This mull have been, therefore, added a century after the large tower 
and its appendages were built. 
If it tend to give any additional importance to the remains of this ancient 
refidence, to know that it could boafl of a poffeffor of the royal line — Alexander 
(Stexvart) fon of Alexander Duke of Albany , who was a fon of King James II. was 
Bifhop of Moray , and a Prince in Spinie Palace, near to the middle of the fixteenth 
century, or about 1535. 
