being composed of huge masses of conglomerated red sandstone, with numerous fissures and hollow caves.

Dunnottar Castle. This extensive stronghold of the family of Keith, is seen on the right. It was a place of great strength and importance, and was built during the contention between Bruce and Baliol for the Scottish throne, by Sir William Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland. The castle stands on a high precipitous rock towards the sea, and is defended on the other side by a deep ditch and wall. The whole now forms a very grand and picturesque ruin, especially when viewed from the sea. Here the regalia of Scotland were deposited for safety during the civil wars, and on the surrender of the castle to the republican army, they were conveyed away and secreted in neighbouring church of Kinneff by Mrs Grainger, the wife of the clergyman.

Stonehaven. The road now descends, and passing the Carron Water, enters this neat and thriving town. Here, too, the post road by Forfar, Brechin, and Laurencekirk joins the Aberdeen road. Here the population is 2000. The town is a burgh of barony, the superior being the representative of the family of Keith. The harbour is a very secure and excellent one. The road, after passing this burgh, becomes very bleak and uninteresting. The river Cowie, a small stream, is passed, with Cowie House, once the seat of the Thanes of Mearns, on its banks. Twó miles farther, Garron Point juts into the sea, where there are traces of ancient encampments. Findon village lies a few miles farther to the right, and near the sea-shore. This village is celebrated for its "Fin

nan laddies," which the tourist will taste in prefection at Aberdeen. Banchory (Thomson) is next passed on the right, near the river Dee. A splendid bridge leads across this river, and the road then passes Ferryhill, with the bay of Nigg on the right, to

ABERDEEN. This thriving town is situated on a point of land where the river Dee flows into the ocean. Old Aberdeen is about two miles to the north on the river Don. The population of both is upwards of 60,000. Many extensive manufactories are carried on here, besides a lucrative foreign and domestic shipping trade. The town of Aberdeen is built entirely of granite. Union Street is a broad and spacious street of a mile in length, and forming the south entrance to the town. Castle Street, in the centre of the town, is also broad and elegant; in its centre is a fine old cross of a hexagonal form, with portraits of the Kings of Scotland in alto-relievo. Here is also the Town-House, Athenæum or Public Rooms, and Bank. St Nicholas Church, containing two places of worship, with a tower in the middle, stands a little north of Union Street. It is an old building and formerly was the Cathedral Church, but has latterly been almost entirely renewed. In the middle of Union Street a magnificent bridge of one arch spans a ravine, through which flows a small burn. Near the bridge are the Assembly Rooms, with massy granite pillars in front, and at the west end of Union Street is the Bridewell. The barracks are on an elevated situation on the Castlehill, commanding a view of the bay.

Marischal College is in a recess off Broad Street. The buildings here are old and inconvenient, but a

new edifice is about to be commenced.

This university was founded and endowed by George Earl Marischal of Scotland in 1593. The number of students is from 300 to 400. Gordon's Hospital is an institution for the education of the sons of decayed freemen. It is a commodious building enclosed by a wall and park, near the School Hill.

A little to the north of Aberdeen the Don joins the sea. A short distance from its termination is the Bridge of Balgownie, an old Gothic structure erected in 1320 and alluded to by Lord Byron. A modern bridge has been built near it within the last few years.

Old Aberdeen is now an inconsiderable place, and only remarkable for its seat of learning, called King's College. This was founded in 1494, and the present buildings erected by Bishop Elphinstone in 1506. In the centre of the buildings is a square tower with a dome of open stone work in the form of an imperial crown. The number of students is nearly the same as that of Marischal College.

St Machar's Cathedral, part of which now only remains, and which has been converted into a parish church, is also a fine old edifice. Two towers, with spires 112 feet high, form its western extremity.

Aberdeen is a place of great antiquity, it was known to the Romans so early as the 84th year of the Christian era, and was even then a place of some trade. In the eleventh century it was pillaged by the Norman pirates. About this time a charter was granted to it by King William.

ABERDEEN TO INVERNESS.

Aberdeen to Inverness by Huntly.

Aberdeen to Kintore,

Kintore to Inverury,

Inverury to Pitmachie,

Pitmachie to Huntly,

(There are two roads, one by Foudlin, the other

through Strathbogie, 4 miles round.)

Leaving Aberdeen by the Huntly road, the canal from Inverury to Aberdeen is passed on the right. Between the canal and Old Aberdeen is the large manufactory of Leys Masson and Co. called the Printfield. The road now passes for several miles over a bleak and uninteresting country, the extensive granite quarries of Robsley on the left.

Kintore, a royal burgh consisting only of a few houses, is the first stage. Here a bridge conducts

across the canal, and two miles farther the river Don is crossed by a bridge.

Inverury is another royal burgh, consisting of a long and irregular street. On the right is Keith Hall, the residence of the Earl of Kintore. Six miles onwards Pitcaple is passed. In front is seen the mountain of Ben-a-Chee, towering to a considerable height. The country around is bare and uninviting.

A new road here leads through the valley of Strathbogie, which, although a few miles farther round than the old, is a much more easy and pleasant one.

Pitmachie Inn is the next stage. A mile beyond which Newton (Gordon) is seen pleasantly situated on the right. A dreary ride of several miles through flat hills, where there are slate quarries and a hollow glen, with the Foudland Hills on each side, called Bain's Hole, leads to

Huntly. This is a considerable burgh of barony. On the right is seen the old baronial castle of the Earls of Huntly. The modern mansion of the Marquis is also adjoining. A mile onwards the river Deveron is crossed. On the left is the entrance to Strathbogie. Six miles onward is Cairnie church and manse, in a valley strewed with huge detached blocks of syenite.

Keith is another considerable burgh situated in a bleak country. Here there is a handsome church. A bridge crosses the stream called the Isla, with the village of Newmills on the right. A monotonous road leads onward to

Fochabers. This is a handsome little town, very prettily situated on the banks of the Spey, which river here sweeps past with its characteristic rapidity to