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RAIGSTON Castle, in the parish of King Edward, is situated in a woodedvalley, through which passes a picturesque and rapid stream, that afterwinding its course for about four miles, falls into the river Deveron.

The Castle was built in the beginning of the seventeenth century,founded in the year 1604, and completed in 1607, by John Urquhart, who,from the office of guardian, which he discharged successively to his nephew and grand nephew,both Sir Thomas Urquharts, and the chiefs of his name, is well known in the local history ofthe time, by the designation of “ the Tutor of Cromarty.”

The building, with the massive walls and vaulted roofs of the lower apartments, and thestrength and solidity, so invariably characteristic of the Scottish country houses of that period,is distinguished by much florid architectural ornament. The most remarkable part of theedifice is a lofty arch, which connects two wings that project from the main body of the build-ing, so as to form the highest part of the castle into a compact square, whereas it was ori-ginally an oblong, with the two wings above-mentioned thrown out. The lower part of thevacant space has been, by one of the more recent proprietors, filled up with an entrance hall,which, at the same time, adds to the comfort and improves the symmetry of the building-The front of this lofty arch is adorned by grotesque effigies, bearing crowns or grasping war-like or musical instruments, with a richly carved pediment of red sandstone. The inside of thecastle is remarkable for a spacious hall, now converted into a handsome drawing room, contain-ing numerous specimens of curiously carved oak pannelling, of the same age as the building, andthe remains of its original decoration. These present the effigies of a very miscellaneous as-semblage of heroes, kings, cardinal virtues, and evangelists. Amongst others, one room containsthe sovereigns of the Stuart family down to James the Sixth ; and, in another, the carvedlikeness of Prince Henry, the heir to the crown when the castle was erected; also, of hisbrother, Prince Charles, both being represented as children. The founder of Craigston Castleappears to have been a person of note and consideration in his day. He is named, during the

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