HIGHLANDS OF PERTHSHIRE. 63 



mining branches of industry, or by some other of the useful pro- 

 ducts derived from the adjacent hills. 



The Frith of Forth, about half-a-dozen miles from Stirling, 

 contracts within the dimensions of an ordinary-sized river; but 

 what it loses in breadth it gains in length ; for the windings or 

 doublings of the stream are so many and extravagant, that the 

 six miles from Alloa to Stirling by land becomes about twenty by 

 water : this is probably an extravagant estimate, yet the wind- 

 ings of the Forth, both above and below Stirling, are very re- 

 markable, and are now celebrated. The vegetation here is about 

 as rich as a fertile soil can produce, and a mild and moist cli- 

 mate can maintain in a state of verdure unknown in less favour- 

 able parts. 



The fine chain of hills, called the Ochils, on the right, and 

 the rather less elevated range, called the Fintry Hills, on the left 

 of the voyageur from Edinburgh to Stirling, with the imposing 

 masses of Highland mountains in front, contribute to render 

 this extensive prospect one of the most beautiful and imposing 

 of Scotland's grand scenes. Distance both softens and "lends 

 enchantment to the view." The tourist has no wish but to push 

 onwards, except it may be the prudent one to enjoy the present, 

 and to try to fix its grand features indelibly on his memory. 



Stirling is built on a commanding site. The distant view 

 promises much, and the interior of the town does not baulk 

 the visitor's expectation. It still contains much of its ancient 

 aspect and character: the streets are not so wide nor so long 

 as they are in Edinburgh, but the churches, and above all the 

 Castle, vie with the metropolitan edifices, if not in extent, cer- 

 tainly in situation and architecture. The views, as have been 

 already stated, are nearly as fine as from Edinburgh Castle, we 

 preferred them. The metropolis has a fine view of the sea and 

 of the Pentland Hills. Stirling has a proximate view of the 

 Highland Hills, which are about four times the altitude of the 

 Pentlands. 



There is far more variety in the environs of Stirling than in 

 the country about Edinburgh; only in the old town of Edin- 

 burgh, the noble High Street is a charming picture by itself, 

 the houses of Edinburgh enhance even the picturesque interest 

 of its fine situation. But Stirling is well worth a visit, both for 

 its own intrinsic merit and perhaps still more from its being in 



