BAMFF, a shire of Scotland, comprehending part of Buchan, with the countries of Strathdovern, Boyn, Enzie, Strathaven, and Balvenie, extends 32 miles from east to west, and 13 in breadth from north to south. On the south, it is separated from part of Buchan by the river Ugie; on the east it is watered by the Dovern and the German Ocean; on the west it is bounded by the Spey and the county of Murray; on the south west, it borders on Badenoch and the Braes of Mar; and on the north, it is confined by the Murray Frith. The face of the country is agreeably diversified with hill and dale, not without woods, well watered with rivers, and exhibiting many feasts and plantations. The air is pure and keen, the climate healthy, and the soil fertile, producing plentiful crops of corn. The country of Buchan, extending northwards from the river Ugie to the sea, and wellward as far as Dovern, comprehending a tract of 20 miles in length, and nine in breadth, is more free from hills and mountains than any other country of the same extent in the kingdom of Scotland. It is inhabited chiefly by Lowlanders, and gives the title of earl to the family of Erskine; of which family, however, Erskine of Mar is the chief. The county of Bamff abounds with the necessaries and comforts of life. The pasture-grounds yield sheep, cattle, and horses: the arable lands produce plenty of corn; while the rivers and seas supply great quantities of fish. Various minerals have been found in different parts of the shire; and a piece of amber, as large as a horse, was once cast ashore on the beach. In the mountainous district of Balvenie, on the western side of the shire, watered by the Spey, there is a noted rock, which produces hones and whetstones sufficient to supply the whole island. Here are also veins of alum stone, and springs of alum water. Strathallan, another district to the north-east of Balvenie, abounds with such plenty of lime-stone, that the inhabitants use it as common stone in building their houses; and moreover burn a great quantity of it into lime, which they sell to good advantage in the village of Keith, on the river Dovern. Along this whole coast, there are ancient Danish monuments, such as cairns, tumuli, and huge stones standing erect. In Strathaven, a hilly country, lying along the limpid
Bamff
Bamiyan. river Avin, which falls into the Spey, we meet with Gordon Castle, belonging to the Duke of Gordon, the most princely edifice in the north of Scotland, consisting of noble apartments magnificently furnished, and environed with fine gardens, and parks well stored with fallow-deer. The same nobleman possesses several other seats in this county.