21 8 Largs and its Surroundings. [Sess. 



as indicative of the botanical richness of the Noddsdale 

 valley : Saxifraga stellaris, S. hypnoides, Parnassia palustris, 

 Seduni villosum, Carum verticillatum, Vacciniuin Vitis-Idcea, 

 Melica nutans, Asplenium viride, Hymenophyllum ^milaterale, 

 Equisetum maximum, Andrecea alpina, Encalypta ciliata, 

 Anoictangium compactum (c. fr.), Meesia trichoides (c. fr.), 

 Bartramia (Ederi (c. fr.), Plagiohryum Zierii (c. fr.), Mnium 

 stellare, Cryphcea heteromalla (c. fr.), Neckera crispa, Plagio- 

 tJiecium, pulchelbcm, Heterodadium heteropterum var. fallax, 

 Hypnum vernicosum, Gibhera vaccinii, and Peltidea apthosa. 



Between Largs and Kelly Burn (6 miles), the road is 

 carried close to the seashore all the way. It passes many 

 interesting places, but to these only a very brief reference can 

 now be made. Netherhall (h mile from Largs Church) is the 

 coast residence of Lord Kelvin of Largs. Knock Castle 

 {2\ miles) was long possessed by the Frasers of Knock, a 

 branch of the Lovat family. A fine modern mansion occupies 

 a commanding site near a picturesque fragment of the ancient 

 abode of the Frasers. Knock may be approached either by 

 the shore road, or by another (locally known as " the Red 

 Eoad") which diverges at Netherhall and passes along the 

 hill-top, thus affording one of the best views of Largs, as well 

 as a magnificent prospect of the Firth. Skelmorlie Castle 

 (4^ miles) was long the seat of the Montgomeries of Skel- 

 morlie, a branch of the Eglinton house, who acquired it about 

 the year 1461. The ancient castle was erected in 1502, 

 added to in 1636, and reconstructed in 1852. Skelmorlie 

 consists mainly of handsome villas, situated in pretty gardens 

 close to the roadside, completely sheltered from the east wind, 

 and commanding an unbroken view of the blue waters of the 

 Firth. The village of Upper Skelmorlie, extending along the 

 heights above, offers great attractions to visitors. A hand- 

 some hydropathic establishment occupies a prominent site on 

 the hillside. At the north end of Skelmorlie is the Kelly 

 Burn, which here forms the boundary between the counties of 

 Ayr and Eenfrew. Immediately beyond the bridge is the 

 entrance to the commodious station and pier of the Caledonian 

 Railway at Wemyss Bay. From this point to Greenock or 

 Gourock the distance is 8 miles, and the road, especially by 

 the Gourock or coast route, passes through delightful scenery. 



