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ONYMUSK, situated in the parish of that name, and not distant from thesite of its ancient Priory, is one of the finest places in the county. Sur-rounded by an extensive park, through which flows the river Don, it issheltered by trees of great age and growth, and the plantations, extendingfor miles, are terminated by the picturesque and rocky summit of themountain of Benachie.

The house or castle of Monymusk, dates from the Reformation, and was erected byDuncan, the son of William Forbes of Corsindae, who, having seized upon the Monastery,employed the materials of that building in its construction, at the same time founding the familyof Forbes of Monymusk. It has been added to by later proprietors, and now forms a spaciousbaronial residence.

Duncan Forbes obtained a charter under the great seal, addressed to “ Duncan Forbes deMonymusk,” which is dated 1st December, 1554. He died in the year 1587, and was suc-ceeded by his eldest son William, who married the Lady Margaret Douglas , daughter ofWilliam, the ninth Earl of Angus. Their son, Sir William Forbes of Monymusk, marriedElizabeth, daughter to the Laird of Pittarrow. He was by patent, dated April 2, 1626,created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles the First. Sir William suffered many misfortunesfrom his loyalty and steady attachment to his Sovereign, during the vicissitudes of his un-fortunate career. His son William became the second Baronet of Monymusk, and havingmarried Jane, daughter to Sir Thomas Burnett of Leys, left one son and one daughter. SirJohn, his heii’, married Margaret , daughter of the Viscount Arbuthnott. By this marriage hehad two sons and a daughter. The eldest, William, succeeded to the title and estate, becom-ing the fourth Baronet. He was an Advocate at the Scottish Bar, and married Lady JaneKeith, daughter of John, Earl of Kintore, by the Lady Margaret Hamilton, daughter ofThomas, Earl of Haddington. Their eldest son, John, who married Mary, daughter of John,Lord Pitsligo, died before his father, leaving two sons, the eldest of whom succeeded his grand-