The Sun.
London, England, 1821-08-30 00:00:00

HIGHLAND SOCIETY.

[ESTABLISHED BY LORD GWYDIR.] •
Lord GWYDIR, whose judicious regulations and
handsome conduct at the late Coronation„prol
cured him general notice and approbation, esta-
blished some years ago on the Drummond estates
in Perthshire, which he acquired by his marriage
with the heiress of the Perth family, an annual
meeting for the preservation and display of the
arts and accomplishments peculiar. to his High-
land tenantry. The meeting or society is called
St. Fillan's, from a romantic village situate on the
banks of one of the most beautiful and picturesque
of the Scotch lakes, and is generally attended by
all the noblemen and gentlemen of the neigh-
bourhood, in the Highland costume, from among
whom the judges are chosen to decide the
qualifications of the competitors in the va-
rious proposed exercises, and to adjudicate the
prizes offered by his Lordship. The following
is a short account, extracted from a Scotch paper,
of the last meeting, held on -Monday se'ennight
" Early in the morning the company began to assemble ; the
different clans appeared descending the stupendous inountains
for which the country is so remarkable, all dressed in the full
Highland costume, with bagpipes playing in front and clay.
mores drawn. As they approached the ground of competition,
their appearance was noble and warlike in the extreme : the
different-.gentlemen appeared to vie with each other in the ele
gance of the ancient garb, and in the athletic appearance of their
clansmen:' The company being assembled, -thousands of pe-
destrians were seen -seated on the front of the hill overlooking the
stage, and the carriages belonging to different Noblemen and
Gentlemen, exhibited in the midst of those sequestered-moun-
tains, a display of beauty and fashion that would have graced
the ball-room of any metropolis. The ladies were in-general
dressed in the tartans of their respective clans.
"The signal being given to 'commence the sports, the nrarks-
men fired at a target at a- considerable -distance, and displayed
evident proofs of their superior skill. Tbe bagpipes Were keenly
contested, and exhibited a knowledge of music which had a most
interesting effect, favoured by the situation.
The competition for dancing immediately followed, which
afforded great amusement, and was executed with grace and
agility. Three successful candidates were chosen from the first
twelve dancers, and a Highland gentleman handsomely volun-
teered to make a fourth to dance a reel, which excited general
admiration, diSplaying the Highland style ordancing,inperfec-
tion. The ladies; who were tbe exclusiie judges in this case,
seemed highly delighted and.!satisfied. The sly-old dance was
very well received. Next followed the putting stone, in which
great strength and skill were displayed. •
The Gaelic compositions gave .universal satisfaction ant.
excited great interest among-- the Highlanders,- and-reflected
much honour on the competitors. The foot race for one mile
was gained in grand style ; the winner ran the last half mile,
with-evident ease,, in less than two minutes.- The.sports of the
day terminated With a boat race for two Miles, on Lochearn,
which was decided in- favour of. Mr. M'lntyre's boat. Imme.
diately after, the Stewards awarded the prizes giVen by Lord
Gwydir, which consisted. of -.bagpipes, dirks, snuff-boxes.,
Ossian's Poems, suits of Tartan, &c. •
'" Thereafter the Members, 'sat -down to an elegant 'venison
dinner, four deer having been presented by Lord Gwydir,whieb .
was followed by profuse libations of the genuinellew."