was recognisable up to the year 1860. A
"fail" dyke surrounded the spot, and two aged larch trees threw their
shadows upon it. A certain reverential feeling, due to a site from
which had gone forth the issues of life and death, kept the place
intact. But in that year vandalism scored a regrettable triumph. The
site was trenched and levelled. Two cists were discovered of the
rudest construction. Human remains were found within one of them,
bearing traces of fire action; also an urn, which measured 5 inches in
height and 5 inches across. Here, then, was the stayt, or skait, or
skeat of Crieff. The Court continued in the full vigour of its energy
for more than a hundred years, dispensing justice both in civil and
criminal cases. Originating in the claim of Earl David in 1375 to be
Earl Palatine, its jurisdiction continued in unimpaired strength and
scope down to the year 1483--well on into the reign of James III., and
exactly thirty years before the disastrous Battle of Flodden. This
latter date is interesting to us, seeing that it marks the turning
point in the fortunes of Crieff. With the decay of the power of the
Court of the Earl Palatine of Strathearn Crieff also decayed, and sank
into the position of an ordinary kirk-town. The period of decaying
prosperity lasted for 200 years--on to 1683, when a forward impulse was
given by George Drummond of Milnab, who in that year became Lord
Provost of Edinburgh. By giving off pieces of his lands, in feu, he
offered an inducement to settle in Crieff, which was taken advantage of
to some small extent. Others have taken up the lead of the
enterprising Laird of Milnab, and Crieff is now a town of feuars,
holding mainly of the Perth Estate, Dollerie, and Broich. But this is
modern history, and we have not yet done with the old. I have still to
relate as briefly as may be how it came about that the Court of the
Earls Palatine lost power and influence.

The result was due in great measure to the jealousies and dissensions
of the rival families of the Murrays and the Drummonds. The people of
Crieff, in the period of its decadence, may well have anticipated
Shakespeare's "A plague on both your houses," as applied to the
Capulets and the Montagues. The hereditary office of Steward of
Strathearn was a prime bone of contention. In the days of the Celtic
Earls the office was usually held by a younger son, or other near
relation. The last of these Seneschals of the old li