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Robert the Bruce , while the latter, with its neighbouring stronghold of Inverugie,recalls to memory the valour, scientific knowledge, diplomatic capacity, andgenerous noble bearing of a family that produced George, the fifth Earl Marischal,and Marshal Keith . Cairnbulg reminds us of the decadence of the Comyns, Earlsof Buchan and Lords of Badenoch, once the most powerful family in Scotland .Huntly Castle, Craig, and Formartine, are scenes where adventurous and gallantdeeds mark the rise, and recall the vicissitudes, of the name of Gordon. Balquhainand Pitcaple received as a guest the beautiful and unfortunate Mary. Fyvie, Drum,Pitcaple, and Castle Fraser, bring to memory the deeds of the great Marquis of Mon­ trose , and the wars of the Covenanters. Tolquhon, Craigievar, Newe, and Drum-innor, witnessed the bloody deeds that for many years attended the feudal rivalryof the Forbeses and the Gordons. In more modern times, Glenbucket is identifiedwith the “Forty-five;” and the old Laird, bent with age and infirmity, sallyingforth at the head of his vassals, to join his countrymen in arms, forms a picture incharacter with that romantic and chivalrous burst of mistaken loyalty, which isunparalleled in the history of nations.

Towie (Forbes) proves the uncertain tenure by which life and property wereheld in Scotland during the seventeenth century; when the barred window, theiron gateway, the loop-holed tower, and the flooded moat, while they excludedassailants, and afforded apparent security, formed no protection to their inmatesfrom the effects of hostile conflagration.

Aberdeenshire , and the vicinity of its Castles, has been the arena of manybattles, and, in former times, of constant political or private strife. Within itsboundaries are the fields of Mildewne, of Inverury, Sliach, and Barra, of Culblaneand Harlaw, of Fyvie, Aberdeen , and Alford, of Corrichie, of Craibstane and Tul-liangus. Within its territories turned the fortunes of Robert the Bruce , whocommenced at Inverury his successful career in struggling for the Crown of Scot-land. Mary, under the influence of her intriguing and ungrateful brother, crushedat Corrichie, the rebellion of the powerful family of Gordon, and the battle therefought cost the Earl of Huntly his life, and its results consigned to the scaffold hissecond and gallant son.

Montrose, who may, of all her sons, with truth be considered as the flower ofchivalry, and one of the greatest commanders Scotland has ever produced, passed