d.

There are three streams rising in the hills to the north that find
their way into the vale. The Barvick, which runs for three or four
miles along the western boundary of the parish, descends rapidly with
leaps and bounds into a deep and rocky dell, until it terminates in the
fall known as Spout Barvick. The Keltic, rising in the hills some four
miles to the north, enters a rocky ravine fully a mile up from the
turnpike road, and tumbling precipitously down a height of eighty feet
it reaches the vale, skirts the castle grounds, and, joining the
Shaggie, falls along with it into the Turret. The third stream--the
Shaggie--rises to the north-east of the Keltie, and, threading its way
for three miles between lofty banks covered with wood, it passes the
village, and pursues its course beneath the old ivy-crowned Roman
bridge, through the castle parks, until it becomes lost in the Turret.

The neighbourhood is peculiarly rich in trees. On the lawn behind
Monzie Castle are three of five famous larches planted in the year
1738--the fourth one fell during the November gale of 1893. They rival
those of the Duke of Athole at Dunkeld. There is a tradition that the
Duke's gardener, on his way home with the seed, was hospitably
entertained at Monzie, and planted them in remembrance of his visit.
The gardener was sent annually to observe their growth and report to
his master. "When this functionary returned and made his wonted
report, that the larches at Monzie were leaving those of Dunkeld behind
in the race, his Grace would jocularly allege that his servant had
permitted General Campbell's good cheer to impair his powers of
observation."[1] Altogether, the district is beautifully and
bountifully wooded, and many a laird gathered to his fathers must have
laid to heart some such advice as the laird of Dumbiedykes gave to his
son--"Jock, when ye hae naething else tae dae, ye may be aye stickin'
in a tree; it will be growin', Jock, when ye're sleepin'."

The valley of the Almond runs parallel to the vale of Monzie. Leaving
the manse, and passing the church and the school, the Keppoch Road
joins the road to Glenalmond, and after a walk of fully two miles the
traveller finds himself at the entrance to what is known as the Sma'
Glen--a romantic pass, stretching along the sides of the Almond for a
distance of fully two miles. Standing half-way up the glen on a
summer's day, looking northwards, the scenery is magnificent. Her