FALL of FYERS.

STRATH-ERRICK is a peculiar region, lying to the fouth of Loch-ness, which, though confifting of a species of romantic valleys amid very lofty mountains, abounding in good pasture, and corn-fields; yet even the bottoms are very high ground, feveral hundred yards above the level of the lake.

The rivulets which take their rife amid these mountains, and run through the valleys, as their courfe is not long, muft, from the above cause, be frequently precipitated from confiderable heights ere they fall into Loch-nefs. Of these torrents that which forms the Fall of Fyers is the chief. The immenfe fize of the furrounding cliffs contributes to its fuperior greatness of effect. The uproar of the waters; and the column of spray, rifing, like the smoke of a mighty furnace, high into the air; give to the traveller the firft indications of the greatness of the approaching scene. From fome projecting cliffs, which overhang the abyss into which the cataract is plunged, the fall is beheld in the most superb plenitude of its effect.

It requires fome refolution to come down, through rugged paths, and rocks, and thickets, to that tremendous fituation. A late celebrated Doctor acknowledges "he trembled as he advanced." The gulph beneath is of fuch dreadful depth, that one shrinks with horror to look into it; while the immeasurable height and extent of the cliffs above, add to the folemnity of the scene.

Doctor Johnson, with juftice, faid, "it ftrikes the imagination with all the gloom "and grandeur of Siberian folitude." The river is obfervable at a confiderable height, gliding between the mountains, encreasing its tumult as it advances amidst the upper precipices, roaring against the oppofitions given it by oppofing rocks, and struggling for expanfion until it approaches the vaft precipice which occafions the fall. Here lingering a fullen moment, it hovers over the gulph. The whole weight of water then, poured without refiftance from fo amazing a height, rushes forth a mighty torrent, dashing the rocks, with horrid noife and impetuofity, in its way.

"It leaves in air a thunder of its own,"

which echoes in dreadful murmurs through the rocky dale.

• See Tour in Scotland, 1769, p. 199.

B

The

The vaft scale on which the whole is laid out, renders this one of the moft magnificent profpects, which a mountainous country can present.

The majestic cliffs which here approach each other, towering forth from the fides of the adjacent mountains, and forming the boundaries of the ftupendous glen, are encircled with wreaths of ftately trees, which thus fuperbly raised into the horizon, their size gains fuperior expreffion and has a peculiar greatness of effect: Those on the lower regions of the mountains, frequently formed into close groves of birches and of pines, darken the hills, and add to the gloom of the deep and folemn fhade, wherewith the projecting precipices fill the glen.

The most wild and awful Genius of romantic fcenery would seem to have prefided over the formation of this wonderful landscape, and to have embellished it with the utmost exertions of her magic power.

CASTLE DUFFU S.

HIS was the principal feat and fortress of the ancient family of the Moraviences; who long maintained chief rank and dignity in the rich province of Moray.-The castle is built in a suitable style of strength for defence and security; as it was probably intended for a place des armes, and to contain a force that fhould overawe the Norwegian Buccaneers, who had a fixed refidence in the fort of Burghead*, not many miles diftant, and from thence often made depredations on the treasures of cattle and of grain, in which Moray abounded.

Frifkinus de Moravia, a man of eminence and power, and of distinguished talents, was Earl of Duffus in the reign of David I. His fon obtained a charter from King William, anno 1169, confirming his title to all the neighbouring lands poffeffed by his father Frifkinus.

This family failing in heirs male, became divided and extinct, and the honours lay dormant for several centuries. But, anno 1650, the proprietor of these lands had a peerage conferred on him, with the title of Lord Duffus, by King Charles II. The title was forfeited, anno 1715, and is not now revived.

The fituation and ftyle of the building, point it out to have been the work of a very early age; there are traditionary accounts of its having been occafionally a refidence of King Duffus, but whether thefe narrations are authentic, or have arisen from an accidental coincidence of names, it is not eafy now to determine with certainty.

The caftle is beautifully fituated, on a circular mount on the banks of the loch of Spinie. This rifing ground, with the caftle on its fummit, furrounded with venerable trees, forms a picturefque object in a level country.

The mount is encircled with a ditch and rampart, which are still of formidable appearance; the trench, which is very broad, and cut round to a level, is still full of water, and impaffable but at the proper mound oppofite to the gateway.

Within the walls, on the declivity of the mount, next the loch of Spinie, are fome excellent garden grounds well laid out, the fruit-trees ftill in vigour, and bearing apples, pears, goofeberries, &c. From thence there is a pleafing profpect of the luxuriant fields all along the fertile banks of the loch; and on the oppo• See Antiquities and Scenery of Scotland, page 58 and 128.