New Spalding Club > Records of Invercauld MDXLVII - MDCCCXXVIII [1547- 1828]

MONALTRIE PAPERS. 44/
" A beautiful bridge of three large arches and a small one at each
end, called the Bridge of Ballater, was latelj- built by subscription, and
other contributions, under the patronage of the late Francis Farquharson,
I'Lsq. of Monaltrie, a gentleman who has left many lasting monuments of
his public spirit in this country. In this parish (the united Parishes of
Glenmuick, Tullich, and Glengairn) arc the celebrated wells of I'annanicli,
on the N. side of a hill of the same name, about two miles E. of the
church. They are mineral of a very agreeable taste, light water, and
allowed to be of u.se in graveli.sh, scorbutic, and scrofulous complaints.
The wells, being the property of the gentleman already mentioned (Mr.
Farquharson), he cleared out the springs, which are three, and covered
them ; and erected not only several houses on the spot for the accom-
modation of the water drinkers, as a public and private bath, an octogan
for the better sort to retire to, and several houses for sheltering the poor,
but also built a large and commodious house called Pannanich Lodge,
pleasantly situated upon the banks of the Dee, about a mile W. of the
wells, containing a large public room, and a number of private ones, with
accommodation for .servants and horses which, with a tolerable farm and
the houses at the wells, is let to a landlady at ;£'50 a year, who has the good
fortune to give universal satisfaction to the company who visit her. Mr.
Farquharson likewise made out good roads on both sides of the wells to
the public roads ; nor did he confine himself to this spot ; he paid
particular attention to the roads wherever he had the least concern ;
he made new, repaired old ones, and threw stone arches over several
small, but rapid riverlets, which, when flooded, were often impassable, at
his own private expense. In a word, possessed of an ample fortune and
generous mind, he employed both in improving his country."
The following poetic tribute to his worth, found in MS. among his
papers, may fittingly close this notice of this remarkable man : —
" To Fra [ncis] [Farqu] harson Esq. of Monaltrie : —
" Patron of this distinguished Vale,
Hygeia's Priest, Monaltrie, hail !
Accept the grateful tribute due
From all who tread this vale to you,
From those whom rural sports invite.
Or Nature's wildest scenes delight ;
From those whom sickness bids repair
To breath this pure enlivening air !
From all whom various motives bring
To quaff th' invigurating Spring,
Which health's gay Godess from her stores
Thro' triple founts profusely pours ;