a noted pass of Perthshire in Scotland. It is formed by the lofty mountains impending over the river Garioch, which rushes through in a deep, darksome, and horrid channel, beneath. In the last century this was a pass of much danger and difficulty; a path hanging over a tremendous precipice threatened destruction to the least false step of the traveller: at present a fine road formed by the military lent by government, and encouraged by an additional 6d. per day, gives an easy access to the remote Highlands; and the two sides are joined by a fine arch.

Near the north end of this pass, in its open and unimproved state, was fought in the year 1689 the battle of Killicrankie, between the adherents of James II. under Viscount Dundee, and of William III. under General Mackay. Dundee's army was very much inferior to that of Mackay. When he came in sight of the latter, he found them formed in eight battalions ready for action. They consisted of 4500 foot, and two troops of horse. The Highlanders under Dundee amounted to little more than half that number. These he ranged instantly in order of battle. Maclean, with his tribe, formed the right wing. The Macdonalds of Sky, under the chieftain's eldest son, formed the left. The Camerons, the Macdonalds of Glengarry, the followers of Clanronald, and a few Irish auxiliaries, were in the centre. A troop of horse was placed behind under Sir William Wallace. The officers sent by James from Ireland were distributed through all the line. This whole army stood in sight of the enemy for several hours on the steep side of a hill, which faced the narrow plain where Mackay had formed his line. Dundee waited for the approach of night; a season suited for either victory or flight.

At five of the clock in the afternoon, a kind of slight skirmish began between the right wing of the Highlanders and the left of the enemy. But neither army wishing to change their ground, the firing was discontinued for three hours. Dundee in the mean time flew from tribe to tribe, and animated them to action. At eight of the clock he gave the signal for battle, and charged the enemy in person at the head of the horde. The Highlanders in deep columns rushed suddenly down the hill. They kept their shot till they were within a pike's length of the enemy; and having fired their muskets, fell upon them sword in hand. Mackay's left wing could not for a moment sustain the shock. They were driven by the Macleans with great slaughter from the field. The Macdonalds on the left of the Highlanders, were not equally successful. Colonel Hastings's regiment of foot stood their ground. They even forced the Macdonalds to retreat. Maclean, with a few of his tribe, and Sir Evan Cameron at the head of his clan, fell suddenly on the flank of this gallant regiment, and forced them to give way. The slaughter ended not with the battle. Two thousand fell in the field and the flight. The tents, baggage, artillery, and provisions of the enemy, and even King William's Dutch standard, which was carried by Mackay's regiment, fell into the hands of the Highlanders. The victory was now complete. But the Highlanders lost their gallant leader. Perceiving the unexpected resistance of Colonel Hastings's regiment, and the confusion of the Macdonalds, Dundee rode rapidly to the left wing. As he was raising his arm, and pointing to the Camerons to advance, he received a ball in his side. The wound proved mortal; and with Dundee fell all the hopes of King James at that time.