Grampians

Grampians, a name very loosely applied to the mountain-system of the Scottish Highlands. Some, for instance, restrict it to a 'chain' of heights bordering the Lowland plain from Dunbarton to Stonehaven, whilst others include a 'range' extending from Stonehaven to Ben Nevis, as well as the Cairngorm group, Schiehallion, &c. Hector Boece adopted the name in 1527 from Tacitus's Mons Grampius or Grampius, the scene in 86 A.D. of Agricola's crushing defeat of Galgacns. Where that battle was fought has itself been hotly contested. Ardoch, Dalginross, near Comrie, and Urie, near Stonehaven, are sites named, also the junction of the Isla and Tay. See also VICTORIA.