45 
retaining wall, they afford shelter for a series of delightful little flower-beds (see Plate 75). The second 
level is also divided into three parts, the central one being a bowling-green, slightly sunk from the 
general level, the other two having parterres of simple design. 
There were at one time summer-houses in the east and west corners, similar to those still existing 
at Hatton House, Midlothian. The third and lower level, marked “ orchard ” on the plan, is principally 
devoted to the kitchen garden, and, as is the Scotch fashion, has flowers and shrubs intermingled with 
the fruit and vegetables; the centre walk leading from the old stone staircase agreeably completes the 
view from the terrace above. 
BALCARRES, FIFESHIRE. 
PLATES 76 and 77. 
PLENDIDLY situated on high ground some three miles from the Firth of Forth, 
the old garden surrounding the house of Balcarres deservedly ranks amongst the 
finest in Scotland. The house commands a magnificent view over the Firth, and out 
to sea as far as the Bass Rock, whilst the city of Edinburgh and the Lammermoor 
hills complete the view in another direction. For many years Balcarres has been in 
the possession of the Crawford family, and the original house was built in 1595 by 
John, Lord Menmuir, who, like his brother, Sir David Lindsay of Edzell, took a 
keen interest in his gardens. The house has of late years been remodelled, but the garden retains 
many of its ancient characteristics, and has always been an object of attraction and pride to its owners. 
The entrance is on the north-west side of the house where the forecourt is enclosed by an iron railing 
with stone piers. From the plan given on Plate 77 it will be seen that the gardens are arranged chiefly 
on three levels, to the south of the house. The garden entrance leads into the east court, which is laid 
out with a single parterre and several grass plots, and in the centre of the parterre is a delightful little 
fountain, while around the sides are trees in tubs. The garden is well sheltered by a thick yew hedge on 
one side, and on the opposite side is a pergola overlooking the tennis lawn. 
From the east court a few steps lead to the west court, with its quaint old pedestal sundial cut into 
many facets, and raised on three octagonal steps, after the manner of most old Scotch dials, but unusual in 
that it consists of two heads instead of one, each with about twenty little gnomons, whilst the pedestal 
itself has curious sinkings. 
A handsome balustraded terrace overlooks the lower garden, part of which is shown on Plate 76, in 
a view taken from the flight of steps leading from the east court. The terrace wall is supported by but¬ 
tresses, between each of which small partitions of box project, forming a series of charming little flower¬ 
beds. The lower garden is about fifteen feet below the east court and is laid out with three parterres 
of box some eighteen inches high. In the central one of these is a circular fountain pond enclosed within 
thick hedges, and with four conical shaped yews at the two entrances and a broad gravel walk runs 
parallel to the terrace. On the western side of the terrace is another parterre, having in the centre a beech 
tree raised on a square grass mound. On the south side of the garden is another broad walk bounded 
by an old hedge curiously cut into compartments, or bays, and at the east end of this walk is a garden- 
house. Not far from the house is the beautiful old kitchen garden, with grass walks bordered by a 
profusion of old-fashioned flowers and some grand old hedges. 
