RRA E-MAR CASTLE. 
J* ^ E very mountainous diftridb of Brae-mar , being from time immemorial 
£ . held a kind of foreft lands, and one of the moft woody regions of North 
^ ltain » affording in the vaft groves of timber excellent cover for Deer, and the 
ref Cover ed heaths abounding with variety of game j was in old times the annual 
Pa 0 ^ °^ num bers of nobility, of princes, and ofmonarchs, who came there to pals 
to^ 0 ^^ 6 autumna ^ mon ths in the amufements of the chafe. This cuftom feems 
if e °f moft ancient origin, not only in North Britain, but over all Europe ; and, 
choofe to look at ftill more diftant times, was prevalent in Chaldea and 
^ r °m the earlieft aera of written records ; for the huntfman with his bow 
ftell arr ° w Was the emblem appointed, in that diftant age, to charafterize the con- 
a tio n rece i ves the fun, after the labours of the harveft and the vintage 
e over. 
*T}. 
att * S Cu ^- orn J which probably originated from ufeful oeconomy, and a neceflary 
cxe r *^° n to obtain provifion, afterwards adminiftered to the luxuries of life. The 
b UI [ Clfe an d animation of the chafe, became the choice of thofe difengaged from 
thj s ne ^ s and care : and we fee how pertinacious to monopolize the pleafures of 
t|^ u arnu fement and toil, men of rank become, by the many laws which are con- 
revived about it in the Britijh Senate. Fowling may have engagements 
t^i s Clent to keep the mind awake, as in a ftate of employment and activity j and 
f} av ’ to thofe who have much leifure, gives life a higher relilh, the repaft a fuperior 
p er j^ Ur * a nd moderate fatigue generally foftens the down of repofe : but ftill, 
the a ^ S ’ P er ^ e< ft freedom enjoyed, retirement from the intrufions of the world, 
an ^ ma gnificent feenery of uncultivated nature, and the pure air breathed 
t he mountains, contribute no lefs to enhance the enjoyments of the hunting 
th e a* ^ an the addrefs and activity requifite to enfure fuccefs, when in purfuit of 
eer or game. 
f 0r ''"hatever view they are taken. Brae-mar Cajlle is well fituated as a refidence 
f 0l ^ e ^ e excurfions. On a fmall mount, at the end of a fine valley, enclofed by 
the w *hleft °f the Grampian hills, and almoft furrounded by meanders of 
^ ee J the profpetfts on every hand are pidturefque and great : the hills 
n S arne ; black cock, grous, and ptarmigans frequent the higher grounds : 
quire'^ '^ er ^ s °f deer wander unconfined in the forefts; they are Ihy, and it re- 
to re S ^ 0n fiderable addrefs to come near them ; but the fportfmen find no difficulty 
e all the feafon on venifon. 
I 
General 
