Ossian Collection > Journal of a tour in Scotland in

STONEHAVEN 65
of Colonel Barclay's houses, is in sight. One
of his Quaker kinsmen once said to this
curious personage, " Thy ancestor, Robert,
was remarkable for his head ; and thou art
remarkable for thy heels." 10 miles to Stone-
haven — a little, and but little, waste country
on the way. Passed near Dunottar, one of
the sea castles, a very extensive ruin. To
this very ancient, and formerly almost
impregnable, place, the regalia of Scotland
used to be sent for security in times of war
with England. AVhat a blessing that such
places are only ruins, and how different is the
feehng which such ruins excite from that
which depresses the heart at Aberbrothock,
Melrose, and Glastonbury ! A long and
striking descent upon the smoky town of
Stonehaven, with the sea on one side. A
fine rocky point to the N. protects the bay
from that quarter. The harbour is secured
by a small pier, large enough for the place.
The Inn is on the skirts of the town, as we
approached it. Mr Loch, the Marquis of
Stafford's agent, left it just after our arrival,
travelling south. He is at present exposed
to much unpopularity and censure for the
system which he is pursuing.^ Without
1 Evictions in Sutherland.
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