DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL PLEASURE TOURS IN SCOTLAND. As it is impossible to describe every line of road the tourist may have in view, we shall only attempt the host frequented routes, from whence the traveller will fnd roads branching off in all directions; and will begin by making Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, or Stirling, the grand starting-places. Having supposed the tourist, on setting off, at or near Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, or Perth, we shall begin the descriptions from these places. From EDINBURGH, to see, in its vicinity, Ros- From GLASGOW, to the FALLS of the CLYDE, by From PERTH, to DUNKELD, TAYMOUTH, KILLIN, From STIRLING, to DUMBLANE, ABERFOYLE, BLAIR-DRUMMOND, &c. A THE PRINCIPAL PLACES IN THE ENVIRONS OF EDINBURGH. WITH A MAP. TRAVELLERS who visit our Metropolis may consu the various Guides to Edinburgh, published by Whyt and Fairbairn & Anderson, for a minute description the public buildings, &c. The Pleasure Tours are on more extended plan, giving a short account of the pri cipal places visited in Tours through the country. ENVIRONS OF EDINBURGH. CASTLE and CASTLE-HILL.-The Castle of Edinburgh is an object so prominent and striking as to demand our notice. If the stranger has time to spare, he will find himself pleased and gratified by a walk round the Castle-hill. On the north side of the esplanade are seen the New Town, Leith, and Leith Roads, the coast of Fifeshire, and a view of a great portion of the Frith of Forth. On walking round the hill, the Pentland Hills present themselves, and a fine rich country intervening, studded with gentlemen's seats Castle, Castle Hill, and Calton Hill. and pleasure-grounds, On passing the gates to the Castle, the entrance has a solemn and striking effect *; but on gaining the height, the prospect all round is perhaps one of the finest to be met with. The objects on the coasts of the Forth become more distinct; the formation of the streets and squares in the New Town are perceived as if laid down.on a map. The figure of the old town is seen in a new position, and the extent and structure of the south division of the city is easily comprehended. The rich country all around fills up this natural Panorama. The Regalia of Scotland are shewn in the Castle, as also the room in which Queen Mary brought forth her only son, James VI. CALTON HILL-More than forty years ago, Mr Adam, so celebrated for his architectural designs, projected our grand eastern entrance as now formed along the southern side of the Calton Hill. A variety of plans had been devised to remedy the unseemly entrance by the Watergate. Adam's was admitted to be the best suited as the London entrance to our city; but the expence of cutting through such an extent of solid rock, and throwing the stupendous arch over Lower Calton Street, besides purchasing the buildings necessary to be taken down, formed a difficulty supposed insurmountable. At length, however, during the provostship of Sir John Marjoribanks, this undertaking, by his zeal, obtained the sanction of Parliament, when Sir John, with his colleagues then in office, found means to raise the necessary sum; and, we believe partly by the liberality * See Burns's Poem to Edinburgh. Calton Hill. of his own private purse, the citizens of Edinburgh soon obtained a beautiful elongation to Prince's Street, by the Regent Bridge, opening a passage to the Calton Hill. On approaching and crossing this Bridge, are seen— Nelson's Monument, directly in front; the buildings containing the Post-office and Stamp-office on the right, -the Waterloo Tavern and Hotel on the left,-besides two elegant arches raised above the great arch thrown over Lower Calton Street, with the date of the erection, and opening of the bridge. After pass ing the Regent Bridge, on the right is the monument of Hume the historian; further on, the elegant New Jail, (on the plan recommended by Howard), and Bridewell. After passing these, the road is carried along a terrace of solid rock, elevated nearly 200 feet above the street below, exhibiting a panorama of natural and artificial beauties, not surpassed in the world. The patriotism of the magistrates, aided by the libe rality of their fellow-citizens, in the winter of 1816 and 1817, raised a sum of money to assist men out of employment, when the improvement of this hill became an object of special attention. Besides the terrace already mentioned, this favou rite resort of the citizens contains a variety of pleasant walks, forming a gradual ascent; and as they surround the hill, the spectator has an opportunity of seeing the city and the surrounding country to great advantage. The Coffee-room at Nelson's Monument affords abundance of refreshments in all seasons, and served with the greatest attention and elegance. The Observatory is an object worthy the attention St Bernard's Well, Arthur's Seat, &c. of the visitant. The wonderful objects which it presents to the eye and the mind, are highly gratifying to every intelligent beholder. The Camera Obscura itself will furnish amusement for a considerable time. -The New Jail, with the Bridewell, never fail to come in for their share of attention; but while admiring the elegance of their architecture, and their convenience for the purposes of their erection, they at the same time draw forth an involuntary sigh, over the abodes of the misery of human nature, and of the evils which men in society are compelled to inflict on their own species. ST BERNARD'S WELL, on the banks of the Water of Leith. Many years ago, a mineral spring was discovered to issue from the rock upon the south side of the Water of Leith, a little above Stockbridge. It was inclosed with a stone building, but had been demolished by the speats of the river. The late Lord Gardenstone, thinking highly of the quality of the water, and finding relief from drinking it, caused a very elegant temple to be built over it, wherein is erected a statue of Hygeia, which is too large, however, for the situation. This water is impregnated with iron and sulphur; is light upon the stomach, and highly diuretic. ARTHUR'S SEAT *, and SALISBURY CRAIGS.--The first of these is the principal hill, situated in the King's Park. It rises to a height of 880 feet above the level of the sea, and is on all sides very steep, except the • So called after Arthur, the British Prince, who, in the end of the 6th century, defeated the Saxons in its neighbourhood. |