10 BOTANICAL TOUR IN THE 



Doune stands on an elevated promontory at the confluence of the 

 Teith and Ardoch. It is a massive edifice, surmounted by a spa- 

 cious square tower, eighty feet in height, at one end of the front, 

 and by another on the opposite extremity; the whole forms a 

 large quadrangle. This ancient stronghold is an erection of 

 greater extent and strength than of beauty ; but it was once the 

 residence of one of Scotland's earls, and the locality where the 

 tragical event of the murder of the "Bonnie Earl of Moray" 

 occurred, a tragedy which is the subject of one of the beautiful 

 songs and melodies of Scotland. 



The Botany from Dunblane to Doune is like the country 

 not very interesting. In agricultural districts the botanical rari- 

 ties are chiefly annuals. Scotland possesses but few of these, 

 much fewer than England. Annuals are however on the increase 

 in both kingdoms. Only Scleranthus annuus and Chrysanthemum 

 segetum were collected in our morning's walk between Dunblane 

 and Doune, the latter not in flower. By the margin of the Teith, 

 between Doune Inn and the Castle, we noticed Geum rivale, 

 CEnanthe crocata, and jffigopodium Podagraria, a plant constantly 

 present about hedges and waysides ; also several Ferns ; but no- 

 thing interesting was collected here. 



Doune, as has been already stated, is only four miles from 

 Dunblane and eight miles from Callander. The road to Cal- 

 lander lies along the left bank of the Teith, and passes through 

 natural scenery which is passably pretty, much more so than 

 that between Stirling and Doune. But the weather was very 

 unfavourable: only a few drops fell before six o'clock, but by 

 eight o'clock the rain commenced in right earnest, and there 

 were no tokens of its abatement. We might have remained at 

 Doune, but the inn where we breakfasted had no attractions even 

 on a rainy day. A rainy day at an inn, even if a comfortable 

 inn, is one of the disagreeables which pedestrians sometimes 

 experience. This inn at Doune was as uncomfortable as the 

 weather. This, we can say from experience, is " the exception, 

 not the rule." The inns in Scotland are as comfortable as 

 the hosts are courteous. We say nothing about their charges : 

 every man should live by his calling, and summer is the time 

 when inns are most needed, because in this season travellers 

 abound ; it is the time of the innkeepers' profit, and a rainy season 

 to them is like rain in harvest. It might be^ unsafe to publish a 



