GRANTOWN  , the

capital of Speyside, Elginshire, Scotland . Pop . (1901) 1568 . It lies on the left bank of the Spey, 234 M . S. of Forres by the Highland railway, with a station on the Great North of Scotland's Speyside line connecting Craigellachie with Boat of Garten . It was founded in 1776 by Sir James Grant of Grant, and became the chief seat of that ancient family, who had lived on their adjoining estate of Freuchie (Gaelic, fraochach, " heathery ") since the beginning of the 15th century, and hence were usually described as the lairds of Freuchie . The public buildings include the town hall, court house and orphan hospital; and the industries are mainly connected with the cattle trade and the distilling of whisky . The town, built of grey granite, presents a handsome appearance, and being delightfully situated in the midst of the most beautiful pine and birch woods in Scotland, with pure air and a bracing climate, is an attractive resort . Castle Grant, immediately to the north, is the principal mansion of the earl of Seafield, the head of the Clan Grant . In a cave, still called " Lord Huntly's Cave," in a rocky glen in the vicinity, George, marquess of Huntly, lay hid during Montrose's campaign in 1644-45 .