KINEDTNE or KINEDARD CASTLE. 
r | t ‘ H E rivulet that winds through the rich plantations of Craigston Castle, 
a nd there refiefts the polifhed beauties of its well- cultivated banks, falls after- 
V/arci s down into a precipitous and rocky glen, in the various windings of which, there 
&re feveral of thefe peninfulated fituations, in which the chieftains and nobles of early 
a § e s found it expedient to build their towers. On one of the mofc inaccefiible and 
ec ure of thefe natural fortrefies, the ruins of Kinedyne Castle Hand; the ri- 
^ u let afterwards watering fome excellent pafture grounds, becomes bounded again 
) r °mantic precipices, and falls into the Dovern near to the old houfe of Eden, a 
e ' v miles from Banff. 
The veftiges of walls, and of feveral buildings, adjacent to the principal tower, 
lat: had afforded the various accommodations which its pofTefTors required, are fpread 
0tat to the verge of the precipices, and encircle the whole of the rocky mount on 
" c h the Caftle Hands. The mount joins to the neighbouring fields by a narrow 
, c v °f land, on which, as the remains of the pillars infinuate, and as was ufual in 
, c ‘ e fortrefies, a draw-bridge had been placed ; and the precipitous rock rendered it 
l^cceflible 011 every other fide ; fo that the fituation is well calculated for a place of 
e ‘ e nce ; but the view of it in the plate, will afford a diftin&er idea of that, than 
Per haps any written defcription can convey. 
The demefne of the Caftle is now annexed to the eftate of William Urquhart , efquire, 
r ' r °dgfton. His family refidence is a caftellated houfe, more beautifully fituated in 
open valley, a few miles above ; and has a noble effeft among die pidturefque 
^ 0un ds which enclofe it. The central tower has been carefully prefervcd, and retains 
lts gothic grandeur peculiarly remarkable in the fuperb entablature, richly carved, 
llc h furrounds it at the top ; between the columns of a kind of baluftrade, feveral 
gUr es of warriors, trumpeters, &c. are fculptured, as overlooking and protecting tlie 
jj ate Way which opens beneath. The baronial hall ftill retains feveral of its warlike 
^ hellifhments carved on the wainfcot, among which king Robert Bruce and Scan- 
e '^ e g y Cicfar and Alexander , are fpecified by name. 
^onie good paintings however, from fcripture hiftory, &c. foften the effeft of the 
e fculptures, and change the tide of reflection from thefe men of the fword. 
^ Twas here Mr. Pennant met with that enchantment, which he had not forgot 
he reached the fairy ground at Forres. 
t J- he hofpitality of early ages, in its moft favourable forms, heightened with all the 
a e ar >d gaiety which acquaintance with the polite world confers, feem ftudied with 
hfs fuccefsful care, than that which has fo dexteroufly converted the ample apart- 
tnt s of the ancient building into the elegant accommodations of a modern feat. 
' hoes not feem to be on written record, by whom Kinedard Caftle was built. The 
0r . pula r tradition of its having been one of king Edward's fortrefies, feems to have 
Seated only from fimilarity of found. The earlieft, and almoft the only annals ■ 
A a 2 extant 
