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A week in the Land of Burns, the Scotch Lakes and Edinburgh

Tourists frequently reach Scotland from the north of Ireland via Carlisle, or from the English Lakes; but in either case, they first take their way to "The Land of Burns"

1st day

Ayr. Burn's birthplace.

All ask the cottage of his birth,
gaze on the scenes he lov'd an sung.
And gather feelings not of earth
his fields and streams among.

The cottage and Burns's Monument are about two miles to the south, and a stone's throw farther, on the road along which Tam o' Shanter took his famous gallop, is the Auld Brig o' Doon, and near by, Alloway's Haunted Kirk, where Auld Nick led the music. The scenery on the banks of the Doon, of which a good view is obtained from the Auld Brig, is very lovely and recalls the oft-sung words:

"Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair ?"

2d day Glasgow. The commercial capital of Scotland, full of smoke and business activity. The shipping on the Clyde below the bridges is well worth seeing, and the Cathedral of St. Mungo must be visited.
3rd day Leave Glasgow by rail for Balloch Pier, where steamer is taken for the trip up Loch Lomond, affording a fine view of Ben Lomond (3,192 feet). At Inversnaid coach is taken to Stronach- lacher, where steamer is taken for the trip up beautiful Loch Katrine, to the Trossachs. The whole district, as well as Ellen's Isle, is immortalized by Scott in his poem " The Lady of the Lake." The drive through the Trossachs Valley to Callander is one of the most beautiful in Scotland. At Callander rail is taken to Stirling.
4th day Stirling, an ancient town on the Forth. Stirling, with its noble castle overlooking the field of Bannockburn, has played a very prominent part in Scottish history, and at the mention of its name the pulse of every true Scotsman is accelerated. Leave by rail for Edinburgh.

5th day
6th

Edinburgh, the ' ' Northern Athens," and a very beautiful city — the most sightly in the British Islands. Visit Holyrood Palace, the home of Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots), the Castle and Scott's Monument, and all of old Edinburgh that you can make time to see.
7th day Leave Edinburgh for Melrose (thirty-seven miles), drive to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, which abounds in delightful interest; then drive back to Melrose and visit the old Abbey, in which lies buried the heart of Robert the Bruce. Continue the drive to Dryburgh Abbey, where in the most romantic of burial places are the remains of Sir Walter Scott, the greatest of all the romancers.

 

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