468 



The Country Gentleman's Magazine 



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A TOUR IN THE WEST OF SCOTLAAW. 



BUCHANAN HOUSE. 



[Concluded from page 379.] 



THIS modern baronial residence covers 

 quite an acre in extent. From its 

 elevated position, and the natural acclivity 

 of the ground, it is well adapted for terracing ; 

 at least the two sides of the square, where 

 picturesque beauty is and ought to be, the 

 principal object in view. Where convenience 

 is the most cardinal point to be considered, 

 seeing that the principal entrance and the 

 kitchen and kindred apartments are situated 

 in proper positions in the corresponding sides 

 of the square, the ground is level. Purely 

 architectural display, without a proper regard 

 for fitness, convenience, and comfort towards 

 domestic arrangements is very objectionable 

 indeed. Here both points have evidently 

 been carefully studied, and if there be any- 

 thing at all which the captious critic would 

 pick at it is in the deficiency of breadth of the 

 platform of these terraces. A little more 

 scope, on either side of the spacious gravel 

 walks that runs parallel with the building 

 would very much enhance the general effect, 

 the more particularly when we look to the 

 circular and parallelogram beds that are intro- 

 duced, with a due regard to geometrical rules, 

 in the grassy ground work. These masses of 

 colour, filled as they were with parterre plants, 

 lightened up the green sward, and an admirable 

 reinforcement was called into play into some 

 of the more spacious panels in the shape of 

 great rustic baskets, about 14 feet in diameter, 

 with corresponding arched bows, clothed with 

 moss and climbers of sorts, adorning them 

 with gay flowers and elegant foliage, while 

 plants of parti-coloured foliage, and others 

 with flowers, decked the interior. Looking 

 to the immediate foreground, there is an 



ample field of beauty for an ambitious eye to 

 dwell upon; for there is first the rich and formal 

 style of decorative gardening, as represented 

 by three sets of terraces, then a liberal infu- 

 sion of choice conifers, then delightful park 

 scenery on a level of some 60 or 70 feet lower ; 

 and in the background there is that beau- 

 ful classical scenery, sufticiently touched upon 

 in a former chapter ; only we are reminded 

 that we failed to notice Inch Calliaich, which, 

 when translated, signifies the " island of old 

 women," situated at the base of the Lomond 

 hills. 



Wending our way towards the garden, we 

 pass through a coniferous grove, in which 

 Picea pinsapo, P. Cephalonica, quite 14 feet 

 high, with great bristling laterals, abound, 

 indicative of much luxuriance. Wellingtonias 

 also thrive here, so do the Cupressus Nut- 

 kaensis, a splendid species, the C. Lawsoniana, 

 along with many of the common cypresses, 

 in single file, which seem to have found a 

 home on this estate peculiarly agreeable to 

 them. Nor must we omit to note the grow- 

 ing qualities and the decorative value of Picea 

 grandis and P. nobilis. Both are of that 

 majestic habit that claim for them a place in 

 any demesne, and both seem less fickle than 

 many of their compeers. Associated with 

 these, to give variety and attraction through- 

 out the season, are various of the berberries. 

 Mahonia aquifolium is not the least import- 

 ant, looking to the profusion and beauty of 

 its fruit, and the glossy fine ornamental cha- 

 racter of its foliage. When to this we have 

 to add the Japanese Aucubas, which, beauti- 

 ful at all times, have, now that their wedded 

 position has been restored, the additional 



