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INTRODUCTION
THERE are few countries
whose historical and other associations present greater interest than
Scotland. Only three centuries ago it was, as a nation, almost in the
same category as was England in the days of the Saxons. Rival chiefs or
clans were constantly promoting civil war, or fighting amonothemselves.
The reign of the unfortunate Queen Mary affords some of the most painful
incidents that can be found in the history of any nation. In the course
of events, however, at the commencement of the last century, the Union
between England and Scotland was effected, and from that date the
progress of North Britain in commerce, the arts and sciences, and
manufactures has been unparalleled. Scotland, in fact, at the present
day, by the enterprise, perseverance, and energy of her inhabitants,
stands foremost in civilised life. Perhaps the truth is not exceeded if
we remark, that there is not a spot where civilisation has taken root
throughout the world, that a Scotchman may not be found exercising his
peculiar perfervidum in promoting general progress.
Until very recently the tourist knew little of the beauties of the
country, and still less of its historical associations. To describe
these and other objects of interest is the purpose of the following
pages. Fifty years ago, a journey to Edinburgh was, in every respect, as
serious an undertaking as one to Egypt is at the present day. But the
extension of the railway system to the Ultima Tlmle, and the example set
by her Majesty, have led tourists of all classes to acquaint themselves
with the romantic scenery of Scotland, in place of a resort to Germany
and Switzerland, as was formerly the case.
Scotland may be practically considered as consisting of three principal
regions. In a line south of Edinburgh, drawn to Dumfries, and near
Carlisle, the scenery partakes much of the character of the North of
England. The Cheviot Hills introduce to the higher system of mountain
ranges in the north. In this portion, agriculture, the rearing of sheep
and cattle, are the chief occupation of the inhabitants. Within the
central zone the leading historical incidents of Scotland have occurred,
the capital, Edinburgh, having been their centre. This also includes
Stirling, Glasgow, Falkirk, &c. ; and here coal, lead, and iron mining,
textile and chemical manufactures, have attained the highest position.
The Clyde and the Forth, connected by a canal, become the veins or
arteries of immense commercial activity.
North of this the great mountain ranges commence, with the magnificent
lochs of sea and fresh water, that indent the whole of the western
portion of Scotland. In the Grampian range is Ben Nevis, having a height
of 4,370 feet, and Ben Macdhui, said to be 4,390 feet high. In some of
these mountains there are ravines from 1,000 to 1,500 feet in
perpendicular depth. Still further north is a range extending from the
Atlantic to the German Ocean, one of the highest hills being Ben Wyvis,
3,720 feet. In the West Highlands, the scenery from the mouth of the
Clyde is of the most romantic description, the Isle of Arran affording a
kind of microcosm of their topography and geology. The inland lakes or
lochs, such as Lomond, Katrine, Awe, Ness, Leven, &c, afford every
variety of scenery, while those running in from the sea are scarcely
inferior in beauty ; as, for example, Lochs Fyne and Long. In these
districts we need scarcely remind our readers that shooting and fishing
are carried on, and afford some of the strongest inducements for the
visit of the tourist. Deer-stalking is reserved for the more northerly
districts, as Sutherlandshire and neighbouring counties.
Scotland is rich in its archaeology. Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood
Palace still remain as monuments of history. The same may be said of
Stirling Castle, and the ruins of Linlithgow and other palaces. As
regards cathedrals, those of Glasgow and Elgin are magnificent specimens
of ecclesiastical architecture. Among abbeys, those of Melrose, Dryburgh,
Kelso, and Roslin Chapel are too well known to require further than the
mere mention. The style of these, and their ornamentation, present some
curious features of study, in an ethnological point of view, when we
contrast them with the character of the Celts, little emerged from a
state of barbarism at the period of the erection of such buildings. It
is singular, indeed, that the soft, flowing lines of Scott, and the
tender, or at times forcible poetry of Burns, should have emanated from
a people which even now retain, in some places, traces of the feudal
system.
Such are some outlines of various interesting matters described in
minute detail in this Work. With respect to the Illustrations, they
afford lively pictures of what the intended tourist may expect to
realise on visiting Scotland. On the other hand, those who are familiar
with that country will be enabled to reproduce in the mind a
constantly-recurring sense of pleasure.
Volume 1 |
Volume 2 |
Volume 3 |
Volume 4 |
