The Scottish Tourist and Itinerary; Or, A Guide to the Scenery and ...

perior to that of the Alps or the Apennines, though the Highland mountains are much inferior both in height and magnitude. To the philosopher, Scotland is perhaps now more interesting than at any former period, owing to the rapid strides made in arts and improvements of every kind; also in the acquirement of wealth, the result of the industry, the ingenuity, and enterprise of her inhabitants.

Many books, descriptive of Scottish scenery, have from time to time been published. Though the fidelity of the descriptions in some of these may be relied upon, and though they afford both instruction and amusement in the closet, it is evident, from the nature of the plans adopted, that they can be of little practical use to the Tourist, as the authors describe only what they actually saw, without noticing the antiquities, local statistics, and other interesting objects in the vicinity of the scenes they visited; and even though former productions were not deficient in these particulars, still such a work as the present must be useful, since the formation of new roads, and other important changes, have created new facilities of travelling, opened new communications, and rendered many places accessible by carriages and steamboats, that formerly could only be approached by the pedestrian.

Of the Scottish Itineraries which have appeared, the Publishers of this Work feel no disposition to speak disparagingly. The information they convey regarding scenery, antiquities, or local history, is both meagre and defective. To the traveller of intelligence and taste, there is this disadvantage in the plan of an Itinerary, that, while it professes to describe every road, it chalks out no tour

upon a large scale; consequently the traveller is obliged to scheme a tour for himself, which he can only do after an irksome perusal of dry details: and even these, so far as they respect the bearing and · connection of different places and roads, are more apt to bewilder the stranger than to assist him in forming any judicious plan. It has often been observed, that Tourists, with Itineraries in their pockets, have neglected to visit the most charming scenery upon roads diverging a little from that on which they were travelling, totally ignorant of its proximity.

To supply the wants of travellers on these subjects, and to obviate the complaints so frequently made, the Publishers have been induced to undertake the present work. The plan is, to present a series of tours through the most romantic regions of Scotland, and in each of them to give a concise account of as many interesting places and objects as possible, including the picturesque and magnificent scenery both of the Highlands and Lowlands: pointing out what is curious and important in the localities of the country, or venerable as the remains of antiquity. They have proceeded upon the plan, of making digressions from the main route easy to the Tourist, by explaining, in foot notes, the remarkable objects to be seen upon divergent roads, with the easiest approach to them. By the aid of these foot notes, he will find no difficulty either in making variations in his route, if so disposed, or in combining, with one tour, according to the arrangement of this Work, parts or sections of the others.

As travellers now avail themselves very extensively of steam-boat conveyances, there is subjoined to the Tours an account of all the voyages which may

be made upon the Firths, or along the coasts of Scotland, and to London, in steam-vessels regularly employed in the conveyance of passengers. The islands to be visited are noticed, together with the towns and striking objects to be descried upon the coast.

In the execution of this Work, the Publishers have spared neither pains nor expense; and they flatter themselves they have succeeded, at least in combining simplicity of arrangement with accuracy of detail. The descriptions of scenery are in general the result of actual observation; and the historical and statistical notices have been derived from works of the highest authority.

In the Second Edition much original matter was incorporated, and other alterations made, which the Publishers found materially improved the work. Three new plates and a chart of the Steam-Boat Tour to London were also given.

In preparing the Third Edition for the Press, great expense was incurred. Most of the interesting scenery described was visited for the express purpose, and former accounts cancelled, particularly those of Loch-Lomond, Loch Katrine, Loch Tay, the Clyde, the Tweed, and their tributaries. There are four engraved maps of the principal routes on a new plan, which were not got ready in time for the Second Edition when published. Two more views were given, the one of Abbotsford, the other of Hawthornden.

Much difficulty was found in ascertaining the proprietors' names of places, and no doubt, in several instances, mistakes occur; but in a country like this, where property so often changes hands, this is scarcely to be avoided. In other respects it is hoped the

book will be found a correct and useful topographical guide.

In this Fourth Edition very considerable alterations and additions have been made,-the Map of Scotland has also undergone several improvements; the Mail Coach, Post Roads, and Stages where Post Horses can be had are distinctly pointed out. These, it is hoped, will render this book still more deserving of that decided preference hitherto awarded to it.

To the Tourist who is unacquainted with the masculine beauties of Highland scenery, no description can give him a correct idea of it; he must see it to feel its influence; here are no cowslip, daisy, or rosemary, that banquet and enrich the beautiful glens and meadows of the lowlands: these, too, must also be seen to be enjoyed.

The index, by which scenery of every kind delights or astonishes, is the eye, and the impression made upon the mind of the observer entirely depends upon education, habit, and association.-Some there are who will be more delighted by a landscape of steeples and chimney-tops, with a canopy of coal smoke, than by rugged mountains, fairy lakes, serpentine rivers, and all the concomitants of the sublime and beautiful in nature. To such we say, re

main at home; for the voluptuous stile of magnificent scenery can never be enjoyed by thee.

Edinburgh, August 1831.

* * The Publishers of the SCOTTISH TOURIST and ITINERARY respectfully solicit corrections and suggestions for the improvement of future editions of the Work, and beg to return their thanks to W. a correspondent of the SCOTSMAN, for his hints and the use made of his contributions that have appeared in that Journal.

CONTENTS.

ALTITUDE OF MOUNTAINS, Page xv.

STATISTICS OF SCOTLAND, Page 1.

EDINBURGH.

Edinburgh, and its vicinity, page 9, 24-Hopetoun House, 27—

Dalmeny House, 27-Roslin Castle and Chapel, 30—Hawthorn-

den, 32-Melville Castle, 33-Dalkeith House, 33-Newbattle

Abbey, 34-Dalhousie Castle, 35-Oxenford Castle, &c. 35-

Black Castle, 36-Borthwick Castle, 37-Hermitage of Braid, 38

-Habbie's How, 38-Woodhouselee, 39-Penicuik House, 39

-Newhall, 40.

FIRST TOUR.