60 



Notices of Gardens and Counlnj Seats. 



Kinfauns Castle, near Perth, tlie Seat of the Right Hon. Lord Grey. — This 

 residence, about three miles to the east of Perth, is situated on the south side 

 of the Sidlaw Hills, a range of hills and mountains which stretches along the 

 north side of the river Tay, from Perth towards Forfar. The scenery be- 

 longing to Kinfauns, whether really or by appropriation, may, therefore, easily 

 be conceived to consist of two grand divisions; the hilly background of pasture 

 and woodlands, and the alluvial cultivated plain bounded by the Tay. These 

 alluvial soils are known in Scotland by the name of carse lands : they are 

 considered the richest in the country, and particularly adapted to the growth 

 of beans and wheat. The Kinfauns estate consists of a portion both of the 

 hilly grounds and carse lands ; and no inconsiderable part of the rental arises 

 from the right of fishing on the Tay. 



The castle {^fig. 21.) is in the Gothic style, by Sir Robert Smirke, and was 

 completed about 1824 ; and Mr. Gilpin, and various other landscape-gardeners, 

 have been consulted respecting the laying out of the grounds. The kitchen- 

 garden was formed about twenty years ago, by Mr. Campbell, an excellent 

 gardener : it is situated at the bottom of the rising grounds, and consists of 

 about two acres of alluvial soil, enclosed by brick walls, in the form of a 

 square. These walls are covered with beautifully trained fruit trees, which 

 are highly productive. The soil and situation are peculiarly favourable for 

 the apple : some of the sort known as the Tower of Glamis have been grown 

 here, measuring 14 in. and 15 in. in circumference, and weighing lib. each. 

 The Kinfauns pippin was raised here from seed by Mr. Campbell, for which he 

 obtained the gold medal of the Caledonian Horticultural Society. He also 

 raised the white apple of Kinfauns, a fruit of great merit. There is a range of 

 hot-houses, 219 ft. in length, devoted to peaches and grapes ; with a small stove 

 for plants, and some pits. There are a few herbaceous plants, but not many 

 American or other exotic trees and shrubs. The present gardener is Mr. 

 Robertson, from Kew. 



The plantations on the elevated grounds are considerable : the castle 

 appears backed by an amphitheatre of wood, the lower part chiefly of deci- 

 duous timber trees, and the upper terminating in Scotch pine. The trunks of 

 these trees, rising boldly from the surface of the steepest declivities, and 

 clothing them with verdure, excite ideas of the creative power of vegetable 

 nature, and leave a grand impression upon the imagination. To the eastward 

 is a conical hill, entirely covered with wood, the most elevated portion being 

 Scotch pine. Upon the summit a tower has been erected. 



The two grand features in the views from Kinfauns are, the Tay and the 

 Hill of Kinoul. In the former are several islands ; one, nearly opposite to the 



