Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/221

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
PART OF SCOTLAND.
203

large field to the right, and an upright stone standing therein, like one of the smallest at Stone Henge in Wiltshire; I found it was the tombstone of Lord Dundee, who fell in the battle of Killycrankie by a shot from the house upon the high ground above the field. The action at Killycrankie was the last of any consequence at the Revolution in James the Second's time. A mile and a half further, I came to the foot of the hill on which Lude stands. How to get at the house I could not tell, as it appeared to me that none but winged animals, or scrambling goats, could gain the height of Lude; however, my horses being strong, and the driver willing, I began to climb by the southern ascent, and did effect it; but with great anxiety, and dread of mischief to the poor horses. I have the honour, by marriage, of being related to the owner of Lude, which is one of the prettiest places in Scotland. The house is very old, and it was nearly pulled in pieces by Sir Andrew Agnew's people, who had possession of Blair Castle for Government in 1745.

In front the mansion of Lude overlooks, to the west, Atholl house, and the whole plain towards Loch Garrie: this plain is watered by the river Garrie, joined by the Tilt, which separates the