Nov. 1907. ] A WEST OF SCOTLAND GARDEN. 291 
A WEsT OF SCOTLAND GARDEN: ACHNASHIE, ROSNEATH, 1906. 
By the Rev. Davin LanpsporouGH, LL.D., Kilmarnock. 
Rosneath is one of the most charming parishes in the 
whole of Scotland. It is bounded on the south by the 
Firth of Clyde; on the east by Gare Loch; on the west 
by Loch Long; and on the north by those lofty, rugged and 
sublime mountain ranges facetiously termed “The Duke of 
Argyle’s Bowling Green.” 
One never tires of the views around Rosneath Castle, 
richly adorned with remarkably varied and_ beautifully 
arranged wooding, among which an ancient avenue of yew 
trees, some of them twelve feet in circumference, is con- 
spicuous. But all the trees of the parish are thrown into 
the shade by the two famous silver firs which grow here 
near the site of the old mansion of the Campbells of 
Carrick. They are supposed to be among the first planted 
in Britain. In September 1903 they were measured by 
Messrs. Renwick and M‘Kay, who found the height of the 
one 118 feet and of the other 106; while at 44 feet the 
girth of the higher was 21 feet 114 inches, and of the lower 
22 feet 44 inches. 
The Established Church manse on the right hand of the 
road as one leaves the pier has special attractions. Here 
lived the Rev. Robert Story, father of the late Rev. Dr. 
Story, Principal of the University of Glasgow. 
The beauty of the north of the parish is no less striking. 
Here by traversing the half mile or so betwixt the main 
road and the sea we reach ground overhanging the water. 
How singular our position! In front, stretching for miles, 
are Loch Goil and Loch Long, while behind is Loch Long 
undivided. There are thus seemingly three grand lochs all 
in view from the same spot, one behind and two in front, 
while the loveliness of the two is set off by the grand 
mountains towering beyond. In the union of the sweet and 
lovely with the wild, rugged and sublime, I have seldom 
seen the equal of the spot. 
But my aim is to give some account of the botanical glory 
of Rosneath, the garden and grounds of Achnashie. 
A book has been kept giving a botanical record. It is 
written by the proprietor, Robert S. Campbell, and is arranged 
