358 Descriptive Notice of Blair- Adam. 



the Pentland Hills, which rise to the height of 1,700 ft. To the 

 east are seen part of the Frith of Forth, with the Bass and North 

 Berwick Law in the distance. During the last century improve- 

 ments have been carried on to a great extent by the late Lord 

 Chief Commissioner, his father and grandfather, and also by 

 the present proprietor, Admiral Sir Charles Adam, at present 

 commander in chief of the West Indian and North American 

 stations. 



Little more than a century ago, before the improvements 

 were begun, there was only one tree, which ever since has gone 

 by the name of the tree. It is still standing, but not so large as 

 many of the numerous progeny which have sprung up around it. 

 There are now nearly 1000 acres of thriving plantations, and 

 about sixty miles of roads, rides, and walks, and all in good repair. 

 On the summit and sides of the hills and undulating ground 

 which abound here is seen the lofty silver fir * towering majes- 

 tically over the surrounding trees of the forest, producing a 

 pleasing effect by relieving that sameness which generally pre- 

 vails in woodland scenery. The silver fir rises to the height of 

 90 ft., and attains 13 ft. in circumference. 



The house has rather a singular appearance. Additions have 

 been made to it from time to time, and it now forms a square 

 with a court in the centre. There is also a large court in front 

 of the house. It affords much accommodation ; there is an ex- 

 cellent library and many fine paintings. To the north-east, about 

 a quarter of a mile distant, lies the garden, nearly six acres in 

 extent. The principal entrance is from the south by a large 

 gate, whence a fine view of the garden is obtained. On the lawn 

 are two fine specimens of the silver fir, upwards of 70 ft. in 

 height, and feathered to the bottom, which have a grand effect, 

 and are greatly admired by all visiters. Near them are two 

 fine specimens of hemlock spruce, 32 ft. in height, with finely 

 formed round heads. To the right of the gate is a group of 

 large silver firs. There are a great many shrubs in the garden 

 shrubbery, chiefly evergreens of great size, which give this part 

 of the garden the character of a winter garden, a desideratum 

 which has often been attempted, but seldom well accomplished. 



* The following dimensions were taken for Mr. Loudon when he called at 

 Blair Adam in August last (1841). The largest silver fir measures, at 1 ft. 

 from the ground, 14 ft. in circumference ; and, at 4 ft. from the ground, 10 ft. 

 9 in. There are a great many silver firs which, at 4 ft. from the ground, 

 measure 9 ft., 10 ft., 10^ ft., and ] 1^ ft. in circumference, and 90 ft. in, height. 

 A large beech, and a Scotch elm, at 4 ft. from the ground, measure each 10 ft. 

 in circumference. An evergreen oak, at the same height, measures 7 ft. 4 in., 

 and is 40 ft. high. A hemlock spruce, at 1 ft. from the ground, measures 7 ft. 

 8 in., above which it divides into two limbs, each of which is 5 ft. in circum- 

 ference ; and the height of the tree is 32 ft. 6 in. In front of the house is a 

 Rhododendron ponticum, 60 ft. in circumference, and 12 ft. high. 



