National Library of Scotland ■*6000134941*IllilllW frit RECREATION FUND. 29 bRUMSWEOOH GARDENS, EDINBURGH. ^ (ft *£*~~ *0 (fii’b ‘ A WEEK BRIDGE OF ALLAN. CHARLES MER,F.S.A.SCOr. 4dam & Charles Slack Iorth Bridge - >, -Bflofef[[fi5&ftil)liol|fr1$ fofl)» Qnmi,. v" Q r •7-o 19 74 ^Q A WEEK BRIDGE OF ALLAN, ACCOUNT OF THE SPA, AND A SERIES OF SIX EXCURSIONS TO THE INTERESTING CENTRAL SCOTLAND. CHARLES ROGER, LL.D., F.S.A., Scot. ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. Stitt) ©Sttion. EDINBURGH: ADAM & CHARLES BLACK, NORTH BRIDGE, 1856. PRINTED BY W. H. LIZARS, EDINBURGH. MAJOR JOHN ALEXANDER HENDERSON THE PATRIOTIC PROMOTER OF SCOTTISH FETES AND RURAL PASTIMES, CHARLES ROGER. PREFACE. That portion of Central Scotland, described in this volume, extending twenty miles around the rising mineral Spa op Bridge op Allan, includes those localities and objects which the tourist in quest of the interesting in North Britain, whether in respect of picturesque and romantic scenery, or of historical and traditional associations, is more especially desirous of exploring. Embracing Stirling, the Windsor of Old Scotland; Dunblane, the seat of an interesting Epis- copal See; Doune Castle, once a royal residence, and the battlefields of Stirling, Milton, Falkirk, Bannock- burn, and Sheriffinuir, with the Roman camp of Ar- doch, the most perfect specimen of Roman castrame- tation in Britain, the district affords to the lover of elder Scottish story, and to the antiquary, abundant sources of enjoyment; while among the gardens of Drummond Castle, and the magnificent scenery qf the Trosachs and the neighbouring Lakes, and the wild grandeur of the Rumbling Bridge and Cascades on the Devon, the admirer of natural beauty has thorough scope for his fancy, and the utmost pic- viii PREFACE. turesque loveliness and variety for his admiration. The prospect from the Abbey Craig, near Bridge of Allan, in respect of surrounding beauty, can hardly be surpassed, while the view from the neighbouring Ochil summit of Demyat comprehends a breadth of territory and a variety of landscape, which render the contemplation at once elevating and enchanting. Since the original publication of this work (of which several large impressions have been sold), the size of the volume has been greatly extended, while first-class illustrations on steel have from time to time been added to the embellishments. The engraved outline of the Western Grampians supphes a want long experienced; and the Map of the District, in which the various excursions have been denoted by coloured lines, has been found especially serviceable to strangers. For the elegant Plan of Bridge of Allan, the public are indebted to the liberality of its gallant superior, Major Henderson. To his venerated friend Dr. Irving, for kind and judicious suggestions ; and to the artists, Mr. Lizars and Mr. Banks of Edin- burgh, for the care bestowed upon the plates, the Author has much pleasure in tendering his sincere and grateful acknowledgments. CONTENTS. Etie Ftllag* anb Spa. The Situation—Vicinity—Origin and Aspect —The Copper and Silver MineralMines and Waters Mineral and Springs Mode ofof usingAirthrey—The them — Dietetics Medicinal of a Uses Spa —of ClimateAdaptation of Village, of Environs Scenery for Geological,and Rural Walks—EminentBotanical, and Antiquarian Persons— ment—ThePursuits—Places Characters of Lounge —The and Well Sources House—Baths—Hotel of Recreation and Amuse- and fortsLodging — Accessibility Accommodation—Ecclesiastical and prospects of the Advantages—Social Spa Com- ©ituraton jTtrat. AbbeyCraig—Battle of Stirling—Proposed Monument to Sir William Argyle’sWallace —CambuskennethLodging—Mar’s Work—Public Abbey — Stirling Buildings —Stirling of Stirling— Castle — lingThe BackHills Walk—The —The Stirling Royal Bridges Gardens—The — Remarkable Valley— Persons The —St.Cow- ofNinians—Battle Bannockburn of— Bannockburn—BattleTorwood Castle — Arthur’s of Sauchieburn—Village Oon—The Carron WorksWall —Callander —Battle of HouseFalkirk, —Battle 1298—Town of Falkirk, of Falkirk 1746 — Camelon—Antoninus' Carron—BannockburnLarbert—Hills of Dunipace—Denny—Herbertshire House Castle—The ©ittuaton Setonb. Skeleton of Whale at Airthrey — Blair Logie Village and Castle — yat—Bencleuch—Myreton—SpectralMenstry Village and House —The Earl Illusion—Alva of Stirling—Hill Glen of Dem- and TheVillage Devon —Village —Dollar and and Legends its Academy of Tillicoultry — Castle — Campbell Harviestoun— —Le- gendsRumbling and BridgeAnecdotes and —The Caldron Falls Linn of —Devon Kinross —The — Dunfermline—Devil’s Mill — —Alloa Tulliallan, Town, Tower,Old and'New and Park Castles — Clackmannan — Kincardine Village — Dunimarle and Tower — —MaidenCulross—Valleyfield—Tullibody Stone — Village and Bridge House—Family of Tullibody of Abercromby CONTENTS. ©ituraton Lecropt—Kippenross—Dunblane—Dunblane Cathedral—The Leigh- Walkstonian Libraryabout Dunblane—Sheriflinuir — Kilbryde Castle — Dunblane Battlefield—Scene Mineral Springs of Battle — Romanbetween Camps Sir William at Ardoch—Battle Wallace and of Woodstock Mons Grampius—Village — Braco Village —of earn—MuthillMill of Steps and Village—Drummond Story of Empress ofCastle Morocco and —Vale Gardens of Strath- 222 ©xturston jpourti). G rounds of Keir — Old Churchyard of Lecropt — Doune Castle — Clan-GregorDoune Village—Bridge Castle —Cambus-Wallace of Teith—Deanston Works—Lanrick or 261 ©.tcuraton jFtftf). Cambusmore—Callander—Brackland— Kilmahog — Pass of Leny — Hermitage Bridge — Environsof St. Bride of Callander — Loch —Lubnaig—Strathyre—Balquhidder—Loch Rob Roy Macgregor — Locheam — Ardvoirlich Voil—The — St. Clan Fillans Alpin — cragganBochastle —Bridge — Loch ofVennachar—Benledi Turk — Glenfinglas — — Lanrick Loch Achray Mead—Dun- —Ard- cheanochrochan—Trosachs—LochLomond Katrine—Loch Arklet—Loch 281 ©ituraton Siiti). Craigforth—Ochtertyre—Blairdine-in-Menteith — Moss-Lairds Drummond—Persian of Kincardine—Thornhill—Loch Wheel—Kincar- —Rusky—Lake Legends — Battleof Menteith—Priory of Tullymoss —of Aherfoyle Inchmachome—Isle — Loch Ard of Talla 334 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Bridge of Allan from the south {Frontispiece) Stirling Castle {Vignette title-page) Arms of Fraternity of Chapmen of Stirling {Dedication) Plan of Bridge of Allan i ... Bridge of Allan from the East Plan of Airthrey Mine {Woodcut) Free Church, Bridge of Allan {Vignette) Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan (Vignette) Map of District Abbey Craig and Ochil Hills Cambnskenneth Abbey (Vignette) Keystone of Cambuskenneth Entrance Archway (Woodc, Stirling from the north Palace — Stirling Castle (Vignette) Ontline of Western Grampians Mar’sStirling Work from (Vignette)the Terrace ... Castle Campbell (Vignette) • Dunblane Cathedral CampDunblane of ArdochEpiscopal (Woodcut) Church and Parsonage ... Keir House Donne Castle (Vignette) Callander Brackland Bridge (Vignette) Loch Lubnaig Loch Vennachar ... Trosachs (Vignette) Lake Menteith (Vignette) Fountain of Nineveh, Bridge of Allan (Vignett A WEEK AT BRIDGE OF ALLAN. WhereSweet Auburn!health and loveliest plenty villagecheer theof the labouring plain. swain. And parting summer’s ling’ring bloom delays — Goldsmith, 3T})e tillage anft Spa. The Situation—Vicinity—Origin and Aspect—The Copper and Silver neralMines Waters and Mineral and mode Springs of using of Airthrey—Thethem—Dietetics Medicinal of a Spa—Climate Uses of Mi- of Village,Environs Scenery for Geological, and Rural Botanical, Walks—Eminent and Antiquarian Persons—Adaptation Pursuits—Places of ters—Theof Lounge Welland SourcesHouse—Baths—Hotel of Recreation andand Amusement—TheLodging Accommodation Charac- — spectsEcclesiastical of the Spa.Advantages—Social Comforts—Accessibility and Pro-, As amply entitled, from the loveliness of its landscape, the interest of its neighbourhood, the salubrity of its climate, and the efficacy of its springs, Bridge op Allan has for a series of years held a high rank among Scottish watering- places. Situated in the most central shire, as well as in one of the most sheltered and fertile regions of North Britain, at the southern base of the western termination of the Ochil hills* it is environed by a district of beauty and romance. On the north or background of the picture, and extending eastward, rise the elevated tops of the Ochils, heights* A ofmountain Keir north-eastward range, about to24 Abemethy milea in onlength, the river extending Tay. from the 2 A WEEK AT BBIDGE OF ALLAN. their steep fronts garnished by the blooming heath, the variegated moss and thriving timber, and occasionally by verdant spots of herbage,'clad by thriving flocks. Stretched out in the foreground, are the rich carse of Stirling and the vale of Menteith, irrigated by the meanderings of silvery streams, glittering in the sunbeams, and relieved by bold, picturesque, and elevated crags. The serpentine folds of the Forth, Teith, and Allan, seem to intermingle in the plain; and in front, Stirling Rock, with its imposing Castle, on the left, Abbey Craig, and on the right, Craig Forth, elevate their craggy crests. Towards the south-west, the prospect is terminated by the terraced hills of Touch, and on the west by the lofty peaks of the mountains of Benlomond and Benledi. Nor is the surrounding district less interesting as the scene of perilous enterprize, heroic exploit, and warlike adventure. “ For miles around, there is not a foot of ground which has not heard the tread of marching armies; and the eye can be turned in no direction without lighting on the field of some memorable contest.” A short distance southward