year rounded by mountains; it was formerly a lofty edifice, as well as a place of great strength; and being the only fortress of consequence in these parts, was considered of great importance, and had its share in every disturbance of the times. In the 1644, the garrison ventured to check the career of the celebrated Marquis of Montrose, but he besieged it, and took it by assault; after which he was joined by a considerable body of the Athol vassals, to whose bravery he was indebted for the victory he obtained at Tibbirmoor. About ten years after, it was taken by storm by Colonel DANIEL, an officer in CROMWELL's army. In 1689, it occasioned, as Mr. PENNANT observes, one of the greatest events of the time, being the cause that brought on the celebrated battle of Killicranky, which will be afterwards more particularly noticed. In the year 1746, it was gallantly defended by Sir ANDREW AGNEW against the rebels, who attacked it twice without success; after the second attack, they retired northward, a few weeks preceding the decisive battle of Culloden. THE late Duke of Athol, perceiving the seat of his ancestors, and his own favourite residence, continually subject to insults. and disturbance on account of its strength, took down its towers, and three of its stories, that it might never again be an object to be garrisoned; this dismantlement has been no improvement to its picturesque appearance: with the materials taken down, a long range of offices has been built on each side of it. 46 DUKE OF ATHOL'S GARDENS. THE house at present contains some large and well-furnished apartments, but nothing which can particularly attract the attention of the stranger. From the house we entered, by a little wicket, the flower garden, a pleasant little wilderness, through which a rivulet winds; here are some statues, which it must be confessed are not any acquisition to the scene; among the rest, is a fowler levelling his piece directly at you as you proceed. Following the serpentine walk, which conducted us under a bridge, we entered a deep glen or linn, thickly covered with wood, and along whose sides the walk is carried about a mile, it then goes over the stream by means of a rustic bridge, and is continued down the other side of the glen. In different parts of this walk are placed little rustic temples, and seats; the brook dashing over the rude rocks, forms some pretty cascades. This walk finished the business of the day. AUGUST 2d. We visited the Duke's gardens, which are not very interesting; at one end are a number of leaden statues, representing Harlequin, Columbine, and the rest of the dramatis persona, with some rustic figures. The Duke has been very successful in the cultivation of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), which grows here in as great luxuriance as in any part of the world. The quantities raised have not been exceeded in Britain, and evidently show, that with a very little attention, we need have no recourse to Turkey or India for this drug. |