B bssie B e l l » a n d
M a r y G r a y .
A u g ì 29.
S i n g u l a r c o m b
a t .
Robert Bruce received here from the Englifh, in 1306, under Ajm
de Valence, Earl of Pembroke.
The banks of this river, about two miles higher than Berlin,
afforded an untimely grave to the fair friends, Bejfte Bell, and Mej
Gray, two neighbouring beauties, celebrated in an elegant ScoltI
ballad, compofed by a lover deeply ftricken with the charms of
both. One was the daughter of the Laird of Kinvaid, the otlia
of the Laird of Lednoch. A peftilence that raged in 1666, determined
them to retire from the danger. They felefted a romantit
and fequeftered fpot, on the fide of Brauchie Burn, where
T h e y bigged a bower on yon Burn brae,
A n d thick’d it o’er with raihes.
Here they lived for fome time, and as fhould feem, without
jealoufy, for they received the vifits of their lover, till'catdiilj
the infeftion, they both died, and were both interred in the lani
of Lednoch, at Dronach Haugh *.
Leave Dupplin, and revifit Perth. Am honored by the magi
ftrates with the freedom of the city.
Pafs over part of the North-Inch. On this plain, in 1396, a
private war between the Clan Chattan, and the Clan Kay was (fc
cided in a manner parallel to the combat between the Horatii ail
Curiatii. A cruel feud raged between thefe warlike tribes, whid
the king, Robert the Illd, in vain endeavoured to reconcile: <
length the Earls of Crawford and Dunbar propofed, that the ®
ference lhould be determined by the fword, by thirty champ*
on each fide. The warriors were chofen, the day of combat m
* Gabions o f Perth, p. IQ.
il*