Plate XXVII.

                                        DRUMMOND CASTLE.

THIS castle is situated in the parish of Muthill, in Perthshire, and is on the very borders of the High-
lands. The remains of this once formidable place are upon the side of a finely wooded hill. It was built
by Sir John Drummond, hereditary steward of Strath Earne in 1493. It was besieged immediately after the
burning of the church of Mornivard, and was given up upon promise of having the lives of the besieged
spared; but James IV had them conveyed as prisoners to Stirling, where they were executed. It was
again besieged, taken, and garrisoned by an army of Cromwell's, and at the revolution it was entirely
dismantled. The walls, however, were so strong, that part of what remained have been fitted up by the
present owner as a library. The present mansion is of an irregular form, and built on the same rock, but
a little to the east of the old ruins. It was originally intended merely as an occasional residence, but it
has since been much enlarged and improved. The whole commands a magnificent view over Strath Earne,
with the towns of Crieff and Muthill, and there only wants water to make the grounds very picturesque.
From the house and grounds the ruins have a fine effect, being partially covered with moss, ivy, and pendent
shrubs. That unfortunate period, which so many noble families of Scotland have reason to lament, did
not spare the owners of this castle. "I know not," says an elegant writer, "whether it be not some
relief to the mind, in its mournful contemplations, to trace fanciful analogies among objects alike mournful.
In reviewing this once formidable tower, in tracing its changes, and meditating on its decay, the misfortunes
of its noble possessors present themselves to my recollection with something like an alleviating thought on
the general instability of human affairs. Those misfortunes are too recent and too acute to be dwelt upon.
I cannot view them without interest, nor pass them without notice; but I am too sensible, that reasoning
on such subjects will never lighten the weight of the blow." It ought also to be remarked, that there are
two Roman encampments in this parish; that at Ardoch is esteemed one of the most complete and perfect
in Scotland.—This view was taken in 1799.