History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

FINHAVEN — BATTLE FIELD OF BRECHIN. 149
fished the object out, and found that it was a large and hand-
some old cup, but perfectly flattened. On enquiry, it turned
out that this was the celebrated Cup of Assuanlee, which had
been pledged to the landlord of the inn by the Laird, a drink-
ing spendthrift, in security for a debt. Cobairdy, who was a
man of considerable taste and a collector of rarities, never lost
sight of the cup, but, when opportunity offered, got it into his
possession, though he and his family had to pay more than one
sum of money which had been raised by Assuanlee on the
security of his little-cared-for heir loom. Having passed into
Cobairdy's possession, he had it perfectly restored to shape.
There are no arms upon it, though one account says that the
arms of the Earl of Crawford were upon it, but there is this in-
scription in the centre of the lid : — ' Titubantem firmavit Hunt-
leus — Breichen, Maii 20 (or 28) 1453,' — but in characters appa-
rently of the seventeenth century."*
The battle of Brechin was fought at the Haercairn, about
two miles north-east of the city, on the 18th of May 1452. The
battle field lies on the confines of the parishes of Brechin and
Stracathro, and, although a place of chance selection, was pecu-
liarly adapted for the purpose. Including the flats of Leighton-
hill on the south, and those of Pert and Dun on the east, it could
not embrace much less than a square of three or four miles ; and
was in full view of the steeples and mysterious Round Tower of
Brechin, and, according to tradition, had been used as a battle
field at an earlier date. It may be observed, that the effects
of the battle of Brechin, though not immediately decisive in
favour of the young King, were ultimately productive of the
best consequences to him and his successors.
The place where one of the standards was unfurled is the
highest point of the rising ground on the north side of the battle
field, where a large rude oblong stone still lies, which is indis-
criminately called " Huntly " and "Earl Beardie's Stone," and
here, it is said, one or other of the chiefs planted his banner.
The whole of this height is known by the name of " Huntly
Hill," (so called, doubtless, in honour of the victorious captain),
and commands one of the finest views of the lands of Edzcll, and
of the mountains of Grlenesk and Lethnot. Crawford's chagrin is
* Lives, vol, i. p. 138.