EXCURSION TO DUNKELD, MURTHLY, AND SCONE. 6 I 



VI. Exctirsion to Dunkeld, Murihly, and Scone, Perthshire, 

 July 1904, By A. Murray, Forester, Murthly. 



A Local Excursion having been decided upon in connection with 

 the Society's Jubilee Conference at Perth, and permission having 

 been granted by the respective proprietors, the estates of Dunkeld, 

 Murthly, and Scone were visited by an Excursion party of the 

 Society on the 20th and 21st July. 



On Wednesday morning, 20th July, the Excursionists, to the 

 number of about sixty, arrived at Dunkeld by train, and took up 

 their quarters at the Birnam Hotel; and soon thereafter, headed by 

 the President, Mr Steuart Fothringham, they started for Dunkeld. 



A visit was first paid to the nursery at Ladywell, where 

 Mr David Keir, head forester on the AthoU estates, who 

 conducted the party over the nursery, pointed out everything of 

 interest. The nursery extends to about five acres, and at the time 

 of the visit contained a good collection of exotic trees, but the 

 greater part was occupied by a fine crop of young larch, a tree 

 for which the AthoU woods have long been celebrated. Here an 

 interesting hybrid larch was seen^a cross between the Japanese 

 species {Larix leptolepis) and the European one (Z. europcea) — the 

 Japanese species being the female parent. The inspection of the 

 nursery over, the party repaired to the policies of Dunkeld House, 

 and on passing through the old village of Inver, the birthplace 

 and abode of the famous Scotch violinist, Neil Gow, the Excur- 

 sionists were met by the Marquis of TuUibardine, who accompanied 

 them through the grounds. On crossing the Tay, Dunkeld House 

 policies were soon entered, and here many fine specimen conifers 

 and deciduous trees were seen, including the two " Parent" larches, 

 which, although planted in 1738, and therefore 166 years old, are 

 still in a healthy condition. Near to these trees is a beautiful 

 variegated Scots plane, and in proximity to the cathedral are 

 some fine old yews. On the way to the gardens, a row of 

 Japanese larches, about 25 feet high, with luxuriant foliage, and 

 a number of which bore cones, arrested attention. Many other 

 fine park and lawn trees were seen, but time would not permit 

 of measurements of any of these being taken. On arriving at 

 the east entrance gate, the Marquis was cordially thanked for his 

 kindness and courtesy in conducting the party over the beautiful 

 grounds, and thereafter the party returned to Birnam for lunch. 



In the afternoon a driving tour was made through the Dunkeld 

 property by Craig-y-barns, Dowally, and the Glack. All along 



