Kings & rulers > More leaves from the journal of a life in the Highlands from 1862 to 1882

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and cheerful, were very comfortable, just as they had
been in 1865 with good Lenchen, and in 1866 with
Louise at Dunkeld. Sketched hastily the stables from
one window, and the approach from the other. The
house in itself is really a good one, the rooms so well¬
sized and so conveniently placed, all close to each
other. The cuisine, though very simple, was excellent,
and the meat, etc. the very best—only a female cook.
The Duke was very kind.
At a quarter-past ten we left, taking leave of the
Duke at the door. Sir Thomas sat with Brown on the
box. The day was raw. We drove precisely the same
way as we came. In Dufftown the people had turned
out, the bell was rung and the band played, but they
seemed hardly sure till we had passed who it was.
We drove through at a great rate. The day being
fair, we could see the country better. At one we got
to the same place where we had lunched on Tuesday,
and here changed horses, and Sir Thomas left us and
got into his dogcart and drove after us. The sun had
come out, and the day was fine and warm. As we
passed Tomnavoulin, and in various other places, people
were out. We drove on for about two or three miles,
and then stopped at twenty minutes to two, just before
we turned into the glen of the Lccht Hills-, and here
just below the road, under a bank on the grass, we
sat down and took our luncheon, and sketched. Sir
Thomas drove on, and we saw him again near the top
of the hills, while we began the first very steep ascent,
which seemed almost beyond, the horses’ power; but
though only a pair, they got us up admirably. Brown
walked by the carriage all the time, being very anxious
about the road. Then down ever so long, having a