D enoon c a s t l e .
larly a battle-ax, of a form like thofe reprefented in the fcu lp tu rel
Several brafs pots and pans were found there at the fam e tiratj
perhaps part of the plunder the a f fa ff in s carried off with them.
Near Glames are two other ftones, one with the crofs on o n e front!
an angel on one fide, and two men with the heads of h o g s on the!
other ; probably fatyrically alluding to the name of Sueno, or the!
fwine, a Danijh monarch. Beneath are four animals reiemblingl
lions: on the oppofite front is a fingle Eel. This is in th e park on
Glames *.
The other is at the village of Coffens, a mile weft of the caftle,!
and is called St. Or land's ftone. The crofs- takes up one front!
on the upper part of the other are certain unknown inftruments!
beneath are horfemen and dogs ; under them a fculpture, which ini
my drawing reprefents a boat: beneath that a cow, and another!
animal -j*.
I miffed feeing Benoon caftle, which I am informed lies twor
miles to the fouth-weft of Glames. According to Mr. Gordon, in
is feated on an eminence, environed with fteep rocks, and almoin
inacceffible. On the north are two or three rows of terraffisj
It is of a femicircular form, and encompafifed with a ftupendotlj
wall of ftone and earth, twenty-feven feet high, and thirty thick«
The circuit three hundred and thirty-five yards. The entrances]
are on the fouth-eaft, and north-weft. Within the area are vef*
tiges of buildings, and there is a tradition that there was 31
* V id e Gordon’ s Itin . 163.
+ Ibid. I had not an opportunity o f feeing either o f thefe. Mr. Shni,
Carcfton, favored me with a drawing o f the laft.
fpri»3|
■ring in the middle. This appears to me to be the fame
Kind of faftnefs as that of Catter-thun.
I Proceed to Belmont, the feat of the honourable Stuart Mackenzie,
Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, where I found the moft obliging
Jception. It is feated in the pariih of Meigle, where I again
Inter the county of
P E R T II.
I The ground of this pariih is very fertile, and much improved
if late by the manure of Ihell-marle. It yields barley, oats,
i)me wheat, and a little rye; and, in general, more grain than,
fee inhabitants, who amount to about twelve hundred, can con-
■lme. Much flax is raifed, many potatoes planted, and of late
Artificial graffes begin to find a place here- Improvements in agri-
lijilture, and in making good roads, go on moft profperoufly under
Hie aufpices of Lord Privy Seal. The only manufacture in the
■arilh is that of coarfe brown linens, which employs about a hundred
weavers. But fince a great proprietor has thought proper to
ijebar the inhabitants from the ufe of a large peat mois, it is feared
But the manufacturers muft remove (as many have already done)
■pr want of that eflential article, fuel.
I Belmont &ands entirely on claffical ground ; for on its environs lay
'pelaft fcene of the tragedy of Macbeth. In one place is ihewn his
Mmlus, called Belly Buff, or, I ihould rather call it, the memorial of
■is fall; for to tyrants no fuch refpeCt was p a id an d their remains
■ere treated with the utmoft indignity among the northern-nations.
j^^dmlethus, after deftroying the cruel Fengo, denies every honor
t o
S e t t . 6i
M e ig l e .
M a c b e t h .