258 



them extending nearly 200 feet. The gardens, which have been form- 

 ed in a terraced manner out of the rock, produce many rare and showy 

 plants. The nature of the climate allows some delicate plants to 

 thrive well. The woods in the neighbourhood are beautiful and pic- 

 turesque, and extend over several hundred acres of ground. 



After a complete examination of the castle and grounds, we proceeded 

 to our evening quarters at Kirkoswald. The inn, kept by a person of 

 the name of Campbell, was by no means capacious, and we had to 

 adopt various contrivances with the view of getting beds, and with all 

 our efforts, I fear that several of our party slept very little. The inn- 

 keeper and his wife, however, did all in their power to promote our 

 comfort. 



Saturday, 27th July, 1844. — Rose at half-past 2 this morning, and 

 after arranging the provisions which we were to take with us, we pro- 

 ceeded to the Maidens, and between 3 and 4 o'clock set sail in two 

 boats for Ailsa Crag. There was a light breeze when we started, and 

 by means of sails we were enabled to make way. The breeze, how- 

 ever, not being in our favour, we were forced to make towards Arran 

 with the view of afterwards running down on Ailsa. But ere long 

 the wind fell, and there was a complete calm, so that we were com- 

 pelled to have recourse to oars. The day was beautiful and the sea 

 was like a lake, and all we wanted to make us enjoy our sail was 

 some means of propelling the boats rapidly through the water. Each 

 took his turn at the oars, but in spite of our exertions we did not 

 reach the rock till 11 o'clock. The distance of Ailsa from the Mai- 

 dens in a direct line is about fifteen miles, but by our tacking we in- 

 creased the distance much. The nearest point where a boat might 

 be procured is Girvan. We landed on the eastern side of the rock, 

 which is the only part accessible to boats. The shore here consists 

 of rolled pebbles, which have been thrown up by the waves of the sea. 

 Near the landing-place there is a house for the use of the tacksman 

 of the island, who accompanied us, and who showed us every atten- 

 tion. At this habitation we got breakfast prepared, and we sat down 

 in the open air to a rude but most acceptable repast. The day was 

 remarkably fine, and we were enabled to make a complete survey of 

 the Crag. 



Ailsa, although one of the most interesting objects in the Frith of 

 Clyde, is not often visited by tourists. Its distance from the shore and 

 the want of any regular means of conveyance have contributed in no 

 small degree to prevent strangers from viewing the grand and majestic 

 scenery of the island. The rock rises suddenly from the sea to the 



