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| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grampian Mountains | Continued | [continued from page 5] had heard of the mountain grandeur of the Grampians, but did not know their locality, might here pass over them without once suspecting that he was within an hundred miles of their vicinity. Northward, or rather westward and north-westward of the low Kincardineshire ranges which loose popular statement frequently represents as the terminating part of "the chain", they consist partly of some anomalous eminences, but mainly of two ridges, one of which hems in the district of Mar on the south-west, and the other separates Aberdeenshire from Banffshire. A mountain district so extensive and chequered, and so varied in feature, cannot be described, with even proximate accuracy, except in a detailed view of its parts. Yet, if merely the main part, or what occupies the space from Loch Lomond to the north of Forfarshire be regarded, the following description will, as a general one, be found correct. "The front of the Grampians towards the Lowlands has, in many places, a gradual and pleasant slope into a champaign country of great extent and fertility; and notwithstanding the forbidding aspect, at first sight, of the mountains themselves, with their covering of heath and rugged rocks, they are intersected in a thousand directions by winding valleys, watered by rivers and brooks of the most limpid water, clad with the richest pastures, sheltered by thriving woods that fringe the lakes, and run on each side of the streams, and are accessible in most places by excellent roads. The valleys which exhibit such a variety of natural beauty, also from a contrast with the ruggedness of the surrounding mountains, and present to the eye the most romantic scenery. The rivers in the deep defiles struggle to find a passage; and often the opposite hills approach so near, that the waters rush with incredible force and deafening noise, in proportion to the height of the fall and the width of the opening. These are commonly called Passes, owing to the difficulty of their passage, before bridges were erected; and we may mention as examples, the Pass of Leney, of Aberfoil, of Killiecrankie and of the Spittal of Glenshee. Beyond these, plains of various extent appear, filled with villages and cultivated fields. In the interstices are numerous expanses of water, connected with rivulets stored with a variety of fish, and covered with wood down to the water-edge. The craggy tops are covered with flocks of sheep; and numerous herds of black cattle are seen browsing on the pastures in the valleys. On the banks of the lakes or rivers is generally the seat of some nobleman or gentleman. The north side of the Grampians is more rugged in its appearance, and the huge masses are seen piled on one another in the most awful magnificence. The height of the Grampian mountains varies from 1400 feet to 3500 feet above the level of the sea; and several of them are elevated still higher. **** The etymology of the word "Grampians" is so obscure, and - worthless though the topic be - has occasioned so many disputes and so much theorizing, that we may be excused for not rushing among the melee of antiquarians in a vain effort to ascertain it. Nor would it be much wiser to make any attempt at fixing the locality of "the battle of the Grampians, fought between Galgacus and Agricola" Fullarton's Gazetteer of Scotland |
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[Page] 6Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator, Brenda Pollock
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