[552] Blantyre, Lord and Lady Grosvenor, Lord and Lady Bagot, Lord and Lady Stafford. October 14. Breakfast at ten o'clock; rambled in the grounds with the duchess; went aboard the screw yacht to see the duke and some of the family off for Inverness; then a drive and ramble to the glen; lunch; then drive up the Mountain,—all with the duchess, four horses and outrider; dinner at eight o'clock; several new-comers,—among others, Mrs. Hay Mackenzie, the mother of Lady Stafford. October 15. Prayers in the morning by the duchess; breakfast; the duchess took me this morning four miles to the steamer; took leave; crossed over to Birkhead; then got a dog-cart to Elgin (nine miles), passing over the heath with Forres in sight, the scene of Macbeth and Banquo; at Elgin saw the remains of the cathedral; stopped at the inn. October 16. At eleven o'clock stage-coach to Keith; then railway to old Meldrum; then posting to Haddo House, the seat of the Earl of Aberdeen. The queen had left the day before, and the family were alone. Dinner at eight o'clock. October 17. Walk in the grounds with Lord Aberdeen, Mrs. Farquarson, and two daughters and son, of Invercauld; next to Balmoral; long conversations with Lord Haddo and Mr. Arthur Gordon. October 18. Sunday. At twelve o'clock went to the kirk two miles, and heard a Presbyterian sermon and prayers; long walk and conversation with Lord Aberdeen in the grounds. October 19. Left Haddo House at half-past 7 o'clock for Aberdeen; drove round this place; then by train to William Stirling's at Keir, five miles from Stirling; beautiful grounds, and house full of curiosities; among the guests was Mrs. Norton. October 20. The forenoon spent in examining the curiosities collected in the house and library; then drove with Mrs. Norton to the castle of Stirling; dinner; pleasant evening. October 21. Left Keir at eight o'clock with post horses for Callander; then for the Trossachs; crossed Loch Katrine (twelve miles) in an open boat during two severe rain squalls; then a drosky to Inversnaid on Loch Lomond; then boat five miles to Tarbet; then post horses through Glencroe to Inverary Castle, where I arrived after seven o'clock; most kindly received by Duke and Duchess of Argyll; there were with them Lady Emma Campbell,1 Miss Campbell of Islay, and Dr. Cummings.2 October 22. Two drives through the forest and plantations of Inverary with the duke and duchess; dinner at eight o'clock. October 23. Planted two trees,—an oak and pine;3 after lunch crossed with family to the other side of the loch, where were the children of the duke and duchess.
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