A Week at Bridge of Allan; Comprising an Account of the Spa, and a Series of Six Excursions to the Interesting Scenery of Central Scotland

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853. Excerpt: ... ffisrutaton Stxtl). Craigforth--Ocutertyre--Blair Drummond--Persian Wheel--Kincardinein-Menteith--Moss-Lairds of Kincardine--Thornhill--Loch Rusfcy--Lake of Menteith--Priory of Inchmachome--Isle of Talla--Legends--Battle of Tullymoss--Aberfoyle--Loch Ard. Our course is still westward, but on this occasion our route is changed. We first proceed to Stirling, which we leave by the road winding round the base of the Motehill. In a mile we pass Kildean toll-bar, which is situated in the immediate vicinity of the scene of the battle of Stirling formerly noticed. In another mile we reach Craigforth, the seat of the family of Callander. The neat mansion is situated towards the bottom of the eastern slope of the crag, which, like its neighbours, Abbey Craig and Stirling Rock, rises gradually from the east, and is terminated on the west by a bold and craggy front. The crag, which is composed of a rich ferruginous ore, is covered with a diversity of timber and coppice-wood, and its aspect at several points of the carriage-drive around it is singularly picturesque and beautiful. In connexion with this place is associated the name of John Callander, the proprietor of Craigforth during a large portion of the middle part of the last century; a man of eccentric manners and peculiar sentiments, but possessed of singular taste, extraordinary learning, and remarkable perseverance. Of his private history little is known: he was born early in the century, and was called to the Scottish bar, but had devoted his attention chiefly to classical and antiquarian pursuits. He dedicated a large portion of his time to his peculiar studies, and acquired familiar acquaintance with the dead languages, in which he took pleasure in perusing the obscurest authors. As an English classic, he ...