Jlk
geth, and from thence to that at Ardoch. Mr. Maitland feëms toi
have traced the Roman roads and camps of North-Britain witl I
o-reat induftry, and to have difcovered many that were never before I
obferved. It was my ill fortune not to meet with his book t | l
I had in a manner quitted the ClaJJical ground, therefore muft refer I
the reader to his firft volume of the Hiftory of Scotland for an ac-1
count of thefe curious remains.
Proceed weft. Pafs by the great plantations at Gajk-hall: ini
R o m a n w o r k s , thefe woods is a fmall circular entrenchment; and about half a I
mile farther, on Gajk-moor, is another, whofe ditch is eleven feet I
wide; the area within the bank, fifty-fix in diameter; and between I
this and Innerpeffery are two others, fimilar, placed fo near, that I
every thing that ftirred beneath, or at a certain diftance around, I
could be feen ; having probably been the fite of little obfervatory I
forts, fubfervient to the ftations eftablifhed by Agricala, on his con-1
queft of this country.
Reach the village of Innerpeffery. At this place is a good room, I
with a library, for the ufe of the neighbourhood, founded by Bit- I
• vid, Lord Madderty, which ftill receives new fupplies of books, I
Juft beneath, erofs the Earn, in a ferry-boat,, and turning to the*
C am p of left, vifit the Roman camp at Strageth : much, of k is now defaced I
St r a g e t h . '-with the plough ; but many of the vaft fofies and ramparts are to I
be feen in feveral parts ; alfo the rows of foffes and ramparts facing I
the exterior fouth-weft fide. According to Mr. Gordon, who I
eaufed it to be furveyed and engraved, the length is ninety-five I
paces, the breadth near eighty.
Breakfaft at Mr. Keir’s, agent to the forfeited eftate of the I
Duke of Perth. The ground here is fertile, and about this place I
(Muthdl I
IfrltUbel) is well cultivated ; the land is manured with grey mark,
filled with river ftiells, though lodged eight feet beneath the fur-
I I and turneps and cabbages are raifed to feed the cattle; an
example, if followed, of the firft importance to the country.
Ï Proceed along the military road towards Crief. See, on the road
fide a row of neat fmall houfes, intended for quiet retreats f o r dil-
banded foldiery ; but, as ufual, deferted by the colomfts., This
ffeems to have been the only Utopian projeft of the commiffioners
appointed by his majefty for the management of the forfeited
Iftates, unalienably annexed to the crown, by the aft of the 25th
of George II. But, as thefe gentlemen, with rare patriotifm ! dif-
charge their truft without falary, they ought not to be liable to
¿enfure, like hireling placemen, on every trifling failure.
I The fervice that this Board has been of to North-Britain is
fo confiderable, that it merits a little farther attention than I have
hitherto paid it. Firft, I muft premife, that the grofs rent of
khefe eftates amounts to about eight thoufand pounds ; but after
paying certain annuities to the widows of attainted perfons, mi-
nifters ftipends, and other public demands, the falaries of agents,
and other heceflfary officers, the clear refidue, which comes into
the hands of the Receiver-general, amounts to little more than
J k o o o /.
I The application of this money has proved a great benefit to
the country 1 out of it is paid annually two hundred pounds to
. fchoolmafters ftàtioned in many remote ' parts of the highlands.
«The like fum annually for the purpofe of bringing up the fons of
|jthe poorer tenants to ufeful trades, fuch as blackfmiths, cart-
Iwrights, coopers, weavers, flax-dreifers, &c. &c. who, befides the
N 2 " expence
C ommis s io ners
OF THE FORFEITED
ESTATES,