0f ^cret 
CASTLE of BO HARM. 
the reign of David I, when that fortrefs had been built of which the ruins are 
now before us, circumftances relating to ecclefiaftical eftablifhments begin to be- 
more particularly interefting in the annals of North Britain : and it is not 
y t0 ^ e P arate the hiftory of the adminiftration of the Nobles, in thofe territories over 
lch they bore fway, from thofe religious appointments, with which their views of 
Or nfort and happinels appear to be fo continually aduated. 
Although between the above period and the reign of Alexander II, or beginning 
the thirteenth century, there were many periods in which the regulations of govern- 
ent Pteferved a tolerable Jfihare of peace and tranquillity, which gave fcope for the 
an gelical inftitutions to rife in eftimation, and fpread with fuccefs, fo as to become 
in e ft a blilbed, and with a confiderable degree of fplendor; yet fociety was ftill 
. o unfettled a ftate, and the appeal to ftrength in arms was fo frequent among the 
^ es i in adjufting their feuds, that all their feats and refidences, built in that age, 
i ft e c ° n ft r uded as fpecies of fortreffes or ftrong holds, in which they might be proteded 
a et y againft all alTailants. The enormous mafles of the remaining walls; the ftairs 
communications, and chambers concealed in the body of thefe walls; the 
^ ownefs of the windows, and fmall adjoining apertures, thro’ which they might 
u nd and annoy any that (hould approach in hoftile manner — are fuch ftrong ex- 
^ 10 ns of apprehenfion, and diftruft in the fecurity of their quiet, as fcarce are to be 
f e ^ but with uneafinefs and awe : but which, at the fame time, infpire the com- 
p 0 . e tefledion of the more peaceful and happy condition of the prefent ftate of 
l ne remains of Boharm Castle, including the Domestic Chapel and other 
In gs adjacent, are fpread over the ground in one fo indifcriminate ruin, that 
} t 3rcc from among the mafiy veftiges can the form and extent of the court be traced, 
tyj , exte uds near a hundred and twenty feet in front, along the brow of a circular hill, 
gle defends to the fouth by a fteep declivity, into a finely-wooded, deep, romantic 
to t] 1 * * * trough whofe fhades the brook of Alderney winds, in wild murmurs, through 
aft S . an d precipices that break and interrupt its courfe. This ftream, in a little way 
die Con d uence w kh the Fiedicb, waters fome charming valleys, and then falls into' 
p£Y , that noble river, which fees a vaft trad of well-cultivated country embeilifb 
fe an ^ s ' Here, oppofite to the fine plains of Rothies, the parifh of Bobarm fur- 
,5 s t ^e lofty hill of Ben-i-gene. 
e demefne of the caftle, as may readily be believed, is not the leaft luxuriant of 
^Is 3ra ^ e lan ds. Thefe, with a vaft trad of furrounding country, as far back as an- 
^ reac h, were the property of the very antient and noble family of the Moravi- 
itj 5 Sj wh o held the rich territories of Duffus, Rofe-IJle , Kintrae , Injkele, &c. in Moray , 
e rei gn of King David I; which lands were confirmed to William de Mo- 
at^ lAj f°n to the famous Freskinus dominus de Duffus, &c. * by King William, 
^ 1 * 69 .. — Vide Chat. Morav. 
5' Lie lmus, filius Willielmi Freskynt, ftiled Dominus de Pettie, Brach- 
^°Harm, by a deed yet extant, granted to the fee of Moray c( the church 
* See Remarkable Ruins, No. z, Ca/lle Dujus . 
“ lands 
