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ESTHALL is situated in the parish of Oyne, on a rising ground, having agradual ascent from the north bank of the Gadie. The lands in its im-mediate neighbourhood are in a high state of cultivation, and it is orna-mented by old and stately trees. Part of the building is very ancient,and, according to Buchanan, was the property of the Church as early asthe thirteenth century, when it was a Diocesan residence.

Westhall has for long been a seat of the Horns, an ancient and distinguished name on theContinent of Europe . From the Venetian States, the Horns settled on the banks of theMaese, and erected the castle which bears their name, the family becoming one of the mostillustrious of the United Provinces . In the year 1461, Robert Horn, with Lord Falconbridge,led the van of Edward the Fourth’s army, which they conducted to victory. Sir William, theson of Thomas Horn of Snailwell, was, for his gallant deeds, knighted by Henry the Seventhon the field of battle.

During the expatriation of David, King of Scotland , to France , where he passed severalyears, he became acquainted with Otho de Horn, the third son of Gerard Count de Horn, whonot only performed many signal services for his Majesty, but upon his subsequent emancipationfrom English captivity, he sent his relative, John de Horn, to congratulate the Scottish King,who was so pleased with the messenger, that he retained him about his person, gave him inmarriage his cousin Janet, the daughter of Sir William Fraser of Cowie, and bestowed uponthem, by charter, the lands of Glenlyon. This deed was witnessed by Patrick, Bishop of Brechin,Robert, Earl of Strathearn, Sir Robert Erskine, and Sir Archibald Douglas; it bears the dateof Perth , and was granted in the thirty-ninth year of his reign.

John Horn, of Horn and Westhall, the representative of the family, restored in greatmeasure its prosperity, which had been much impaired by differences and breaches incidentalto the times, and which had reduced the properties of his predecessors.

During the civil war, John and Andrew Horn raised a force for the service of Charles the

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