Lairds of Glenlyon

X.
THE estate of Glenlyon did not long remain in posses-
sion of the Athole family. The Marquess during
the short time he had it, projected, and partly completed,
several improvements. He repaired the roads, built
bridges, and commenced working the lead mine called
" Meall-hiaidhe]' on the hill of Kerrumore, an undertaking
that would probably be now highly remunerative, but
which failed then on account of the difficulty of carriage.
He, moreover, gets credit traditionally for having been the
first to introduce the larch tree to Glenlyon ; but in this
matter tradition errs. It was Crowner Menzies' grandson
who first brought larches from the Tyrol. The larches be-
hind the garden of Meggernie, were the first planted in
Scotland.
After being held by the Marquess for seven years, he
sold the estate to Colonel James Menzies of Culdares,
better known by the name of " Crunnair Ruadh nan cearc,"
i.e. " Crowner Roy of the Hens." The history of this man
is very curious, but the hearsay version may not be very ac-
curate. The dramatic cast given it by tradition may be an
embellishment of the truth ; but, unluckily, having no means
of testing the matter, I can merely give as I find.
About the year 1620, a boy, known by the name of James
Roy of the Hens, was to be found among the hangers-on
of the Knight of Weem, the chief of the Menzieses. He