27 
Continuing the charming drive, the Tay was first touched at 
Taymount, the scene of the marvellous fishing exploits of the 
immortal Mr Briggs, who here killed his first salmon, as duly 
narrated in the veracious pages of Punch. Stobhall, which we 
next pass en route, is an ancient stronghold, the seat of Lord 
Willoughby de Eresby—an edifice said to have been in exist- 
ence seven hundred years ago, surrounded by beautifully wooded 
policies, in which grow many splendid old trees, among which are 
gigantic specimens of walnut, spruce, lime, larch, Scots fir, and 
others. 
MEIKLEOUR. 
Passing Cargill village and church, and crossing the Bridge 
of Isla, the policies of Meikleour commence on the left, and the 
Great Beech Hedge, for which Meikleour is famed far and wide, 
is immediately in front of us. This hedge is said to have been 
planted about 1746; it is about 86 feet in average height, 
and one-third of a mile in length, and being kept neatly and 
regularly trimmed, it has long been an object of great interest 
among arborists. Mr Matheson, the gardener and forester on 
the estate, who joined us here and acted as guide through the 
grounds and policies, mentioned that for the last fifty years the 
hedge has been regularly cut on the side next the road. On 
the other side the trees are left to grow very much at will. 
The hedge is pruned from a double ladder on wheels 30 feet 
high, which was modelled after the machines of the same kind 
used in connection with the cutting of the tall lime avenues at 
Versailles. The heavier branches are cut off with a single 
point saw, and the twigs, up to a length of 45 feet, with an 
averuncator. To prune higher than that is a work of some 
difficulty. One of the lithest of the foresters climbs as near to 
the top as possible, fastening himself to the strongest branch 
he can get by means of a belt round his waist, and holding on to 
another branch with his left hand. In his right hand he wields 
a light billhook, and by this method can prune to a height of 
75 feet. Above that the necessity for pruning is not so great. 
On the invitation of the Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne, 
a flying visit was paid to the policies of Meikleour. The house 
occupies a charming situation on the north-east bank of the 
Tay, near to where the Isla mingles its waters with that noble 
river, and from it numerous delightful views can be obtained 
of the surrounding country. The mansion-house is a beautiful 
modern edifice designed by the late Mr Bryce, Edinburgh, in 
the French style—two chief features being a grand circular 
staircase and a tasteful balcony. The policies contain many 
