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[Page 76]
wall below which the river forms a series of cascades dividing itself with an island densely clad with trees & mosses only to meet again & fall into cascades under an old bridge which was overhung by tall trees on either side while on the right is a series of old fashioned verandahless thatched cottages end to end & old fashioned in the extreme while between the river & the cottages runs the winding road. Below the bridge river divides round an island with very high & dense trees. This dreary isle is the burial place of the N'etal & its dismalness justifies its choice. Passing into the village I see the usual old mill year 100 years old & worked by sluices. In the village as I have an address I go to it but it is full, same on second floor & so on. At last I find a place & close as I do not expect to find boarding house in this little hamlet. However I soon discover there are many boarding houses & even a rather fine hotel. Having established myself I set off to view the ruins of Finlarig Castle a castle erected in 1607. On the judgment mound is a holly tree about 3 ft in diameter & on lawn a sundial with 14 faces made by the old monks. Just outside the ruin in a hollow square pit connected with dungeon by underground passage. It was here that he gentlemen of noble birth obtained the privilege of being beheaded while on other side is the hanging tree with a branch at a rightangle about 3 ft in diameter tho this has disappeared but the tree is a veteran compared with the others. The ruins consist of a turret a few rooms including entrance door with the royal arms quartered above it. Walls are of loose stone about 9 to 13 ft thick. The place is now kept in order & surrounded by a stone wall made from ruins which preserves the ruins as the neighbouring village has been built from it.