feet. III. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 43 



Under this article, it may be proper to take 

 notice of the lochs or lakes with which the 

 county abounds, and which add greatly to its 

 beauty. To enumerate the whole would be 

 unnecessary ; but the following deserve par'dcu- 

 lar notice. 



The Loch of Lindores^ in the parish of Abdie, 

 is a beautiful sheet of water, nearly a mile in 

 length, and of unequal breadth. It abounds 

 with pike and perch, and is much frequented 

 by wild ducks and other kinds of water fowl. 

 Colonel Simson of Pitcorthie is the proprietor, 

 and politely allows the privilege of fishing and 

 shooting upon it, to such of the neighbouring 

 gentlemen as are fond of these amusements. 

 The situation of this loch, too, in relation to the 

 surrounding scenery, contributes much to its na- 

 tural beauty. The small wood of Wood-mill, 

 just shewing its northern extremity on the S. \V. 

 of the lake ; the manse, church, and church-yard 

 of Abdie standing solitary on the west ; and the 

 ruinous mansion-house of old Lindores, with the 

 trees surrounding it, on the north, form a most 

 picturesque view, and have a fine effecl:.. Kil~ 

 conquhar loch lies on the boundary that divides 

 the parish of Kilconquhar from th.e parish of 

 Elie, is nearly of a circular form, and may be 

 about two miles in circumference. It is not re- 

 markable for its fish ; pike and eels being the 

 principal kinds found in it. But being situated 

 in the midst of a fertile country, between the 

 large plantations and enclosures around Ely 

 house, on the one hand, and Kilconquhar on 

 the other, it becomes an interesting object, giv- 

 ing richness and variety to the prospect, and 



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