Scotish Descriptive Poems/Notes on Albania
NOTES
BY THE ORIGINAL EDITOR.
Ver. 8. By this expression, the author means the rock upon which stands the Castle of Edinburgh, reckoned one of the strongest in Europe. It was here that Keith, Earl Marshal of Scotland, hereditary keeper of the regalia, in the year 1706, deposited the regalia, viz. the crown, sword, and sceptre: The first is of a peculiar form, richly adorned with precious stones, and of great antiquity; the other two more modern. A formal instrument was taken by the earl's deputy, when they were deposited, in which there is a very minute description of them all, and a copy of it lodged in the Lawyers Library at Edinburgh, and other places.
Ver. 12. The first king of Scotland of this name mentioned by Scots historians, was cotemporary with Alexander the Great; the second, whom some moderns contend was the founder of that monarchy, lived anno 406.
Ver. 14. The borders of Scotland were the scenes of many bloody skirmishes betwixt the English and Scots. The other places here mentioned are remarkable in the Scotish history. The northern counties of England were in possession of the kings of Scotland, who did homage for them to the crown of England.
Ver. 40. The hills in the northern parts of Scotland are gilded all night, about the summer solstice, with the sun beams.
Ver. 54. Arran and Lewis are two of the western isles; the former is the property of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. The herrings caught about the latter are reckoned the best in Scotland.
Ver. 61. The author here means the Grampus.
Ver. 62. This is the name of a fine country in Scotland, and gives title to a noble earl, created by King James a marquis.
Ver. 63. The northern islands are so called, supposed the Thule of Ptolemy.
Ver. 71. A shire in the north of Scotland: Upon this coast several whales have been driven.
Ver. 110. What the author mentions here of the seal is literally true; these creatures frequently come ashore, and when they are attacked, throw stones and dirt up with their forefeet, in the faces of their assailers, who retire to draw them far enough from their young, and then shoot them. Their young are easily seized, and their skins are of use.
Ver. 131. The Dutch used to employ 1500 sail yearly in this fishing, but they are now reduced to a much smaller number.
Ver. 146. Spey, the most rapid river in Scotland, on which there are several fine salmon fishings.
Ver. 160. Elphingston gives title to a lord, and abounds with coal mines.
Ver. 161. Winton gave title to an earldom now forfeited, and was one of the finest estates in Britain of its extent.
Ver. 163. Montrose, & c.; these are names of different towns in Scotland.
Ver. 164. Dundee.
Ver. 165. Edinburgh.
Ver. 171. Aberdeen.
Ver. 218. Soland is a fowl like a goose, which is no where to be found but in the places here mentioned; on the former of which an impregnable fort was built, demolished by the Government since the Revolution.
Ver. 251. Thane was the old name for the Scotch nobility, before the word earl was used. Those of Ross were particularly powerful, and gave great disquiet to the kings.
Ver. 280. The isles of Columba lie on the western side of Scotland: They are mentioned here with their several characteristics, and the reader may find how just they are in Mr. Martin's description of them, where he will meet with a curious account of their seers, or those who possess the second sight. But the most remarkable of these isles is Icolm-kill, where many of the Scotish, Danish, and Norwegian kings and saints are buried.