43 
FORDEL HOUSE, FIFESHIRE. 
PLATE 71. 
ORDEL is situated on high ground a few miles east of Dumfermline, on the 
edge of a rocky ravine, at the junction of two streams, with a deep ditch on the 
third side. The whole area of the plateau on which the castle stands is now a 
garden, but formerly only the east side was used for this purpose. The garden is of 
considerable extent, and in the midst stands the old castle, which is still in a good 
state, and, having from time to time undergone some alteration, is now used as a 
kind of summer-house. On a panel is the date 1567, and, on a carved bracket above 
the door, is a painted frame bearing the arms of the Henderson family, who for many generations have 
been the owners of Fordel. It is now, however, the property of the Countess of Buckinghamshire. 
The garden illustrated on Plate 71 occupies an irregular piece of ground, and extends principally 
east and west of the castle. On the north side is a very elaborate parterre, which is hardly in keeping 
with its simple surroundings ; to the east of this is a long bowling-lawn, with raised grass terraces on 
two sides, while close by is a triangular shaped piece of land bordered on one side by a gravel path, and 
with beds in circles and heart shapes cut out in the grass. On the south side of the bowling-lawn is ar 
oblong plot, with clipped yew trees and flower-beds, whilst round the castle are some massive old trees. 
South of this plot, is an oblong parterre with circular beds ; the design being formed in box edging 
nine inches wide, and the points marked with little balls. All the south part of the garden is laid out 
with curiously shaped beds of circular, oval, square and pear-shaped forms, arranged without much 
regard for symmetry, though they are none the less picturesque. 
From the castle a massive yew hedge, 25 feet high and 11 feet thick, runs north and south, dividing 
the garden into two parts. The eastern part has been already described; the western has an oblong 
parterre, about 170 feet by 50, with circular beds of flowers divided by box edging ; the remaining part of 
this enclosure, a triangular space, is arranged as a rose garden, with a circular arbour in the centre. 
Beyond the hew hedge is a small chapel. 
STOBHALL, PERTHSHIRE. 
PLATE 72. 
TOBHALL is a singular group of four separate buildings clustered round a knoll 
overlooking the left bank of the River Tay, some eight miles from Perth. The 
principal building forming this group is known as the Dowry House, and the 
garden illustrated in the view on Plate 72, is situated on the west side of this house, 
which appears in the background of the drawing. At the rear of the Dowry House 
other buildings are arranged around two irregularly shaped courtyards. The garden 
is bounded on the north side by the approach to the house, and on the south is 
enclosed by a low wall, which on its outer side is of considerable height owing to the fall of the ground. 
The River Tay curves and winds round the old house, presenting throughout its course for a mile or two 
on either side of Stobhall, as charming a piece of lowland scenery as may be found in its whole 
length. In a way it dominates the place both to the eye and ear, as it runs with considerable speed 
K 
