Queen Victoria’s diary, 1865

At twelve, went (a great effort) to the kirk with the girls and the Duchess of Athole. I had only been once at the end of our stay last year in October, in the…

On waking I felt very low and nervous ac the thought of the expedition. All so sadly changed. Started at eleven o'clock with Lenchen and Jane Churchill, Grant and…

A beautiful morning. Breakfasted alone with Lenchen in my own little sitting-room — waited on by Brown, who is always ready to try to do any- thing required. At…

A thick, misty, very threatening morning ! There was no help for it, but it was sadly pro- voking-. It was the same once or twice in former happy days, and my dear…

A hopelessly wet morning. I had slept well, but felt sad on awaking. Breakfasted alone with Lenchen downstairs, each day waited on by Brown. A dreadful morning,…

Another wretchedly wet morning". Was much distressed at breakfast to find that poor Brown's legs had been dreadfully cut by the edge of his wet kilt on Monday, just…

A fair day, with no rain, but, alas ! no sunshine. Brown's leg was much better, and the doctor thought he could walk over the hill to-morrow. Excellent breakfasts,…

Ouite a fine morning, with bright fleams of sunshine lighting up everything. The piper played each morning in the garden during break- fast. Just before we left at…

After dinner Dr. Macleod ^ave us a lono- account of that dreadful Dr. Pritchard,* and his interviews with him. Never in his life had he seen anything so dreadful as…

At twelve we went to the kirk, where dear Dr. Macleod performed the service more beauti- fully than I ever heard it. The sermon was touching, and most striking and…