To the botanist, as to the geologist, the island presents features equally interesting. The numerous conditions of soil give birth each to its own system of vegetation; and thus we have plants of the sea-shore, of the secluded glen, of the open morass, and of the bleak mountain-top, within a compass of a few miles. In cryp togamic plants Arran is peculiarly rich. Few of its mosses, however, can be said to be strictly local. Among the ferns we have the Osmunda regalis, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Botrychium Lunaria, Cryptogramma crispa, Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, H. Tunbridgense, Asplenium viride, A. marinum, and Aspidium recurvum (Lastrea Fænisecii) Of the rarer flowering plants we may mention Hypericum dubium, Bidens tripartita, Pinguicula Lusitanica, Saxifraga stellaris, S. hypnoides, Pyrus pinnatifida, Ligusticum Scoticum, Alchemilla alpina, Geranium sanguineum, Brassica Monensis, and Drosera Anglica.

GREENOCK to OBAN, via DUNOON, ROTHESAY, ARDRISHAIG and the CRINAN CANAL.

The journey all the way from Glasgow occupies about twelve hours.

Leaving Greenock Quay, we have before us the vast amphitheatre of the Argyllshire and Dumbartonshire mountains, ranging in blue masses along the horizon. We pass the mouth of Loch Long, darkening as it ascends beneath the shadows of the Arroquhar hills, then the Holy Loch, surrounded by steep and picturesque hills. On the point of land between Loch Long and Holy Loch, is the watering-place of Strone. The adjoining village of Kilmun is one of the finest on the Clyde, and is easily accessible from Greenock or Dunoon. Behind the parish church are the ruins of the Collegiate Chapel, founded in 1442 by Sir Duncan Campbell of Loch Awe, ancestor of the Argyll family, and where they have their burying-place. The walks and drives to Loch Eck,* Glen Messen, Glen Lane, and other places in the neighbourhood, are numerous and highly picturesque. There are trout and salmon in the Echaig, a stream that issues from Loch Eck, and falls into Holy Loch.

*There is a very pleasant road from Kilmun to Inverary by the banks of Loch Eck, a distance of 15 miles, and conveyances may be had at the Kilmun hotel.

Opposite Kilmun is the village of Sandbank, after calling at which the steamer passes the beautiful mansion of Hafton (Hunter, Esq.), and rounding the point on the right, skirts along the coast studded with villas, until it reaches

DUNOON, 3 hours' sail from Glasgow,

[Inns: Argyll; Victoria; Royal. Population, 2229.]

one of the largest and most fashionable summer residences on the west coast.

The Castle of Dunoon, stationed on the conical hill overlooking the pier, was once a royal residence and a strong fortress. The hereditary keepership of it was conferred by Robert Bruce on the family of Sir Colin Campbell of Loch Awe, an ancestor of the Duke of Argyll. It was one of the seats of the powerful family of Boyd, and after their attainder became the residence of the Argyll family in 1673. From the commencement of the eighteenth century, it was allowed to fall into a state of ruin, and nothing now remains but a small portion of the walls. An extensive prospect is commanded

from the summit.

On leaving Dunoon the steamer passes Baugie Bay, and in another quarter of an hour reaches Innellan, 3 hours' sail from Glasgow [Inn: The Royal], the houses of which form almost a continuation of Dunoon.

The peninsula of Cowal ends a few miles lower at Toward Point, where there is a lighthouse. Turning Toward Point we come in sight of Toward Castle, the seat of A. S. Finlay, Esq., M.P., a large elegant modern mansion, occupying a commanding situation. On the neighbouring height, on the right, are seen the ivy-clad ruins of Toward Castle, the ancient seat of the Lamonts.

ROTHESAY,

[3 hours' sail from Glasgow. Hotels: The Queen's; Star; Bute Arms; Victoria; Royal. Population, 7104. Droskies-charge 1s. per mile, or from 8s. to 10s. 6d. for a whole day, There are no tolls. Pleasure-boats may be had on hire at from 6d. to 9d. an hour.]

the capital of the county of Bute, is agreeably situated at the head of a deep bay, on the north-east side of the island, where

there is safe anchorage ground in any wind for vessels of any size, and room enough to contain a very large fleet. In the middle of the town are the ruins of Rothesay Castle, once a residence of the kings of Scotland. It originally consisted of a circular court, 138 feet in diameter, surrounded by a wall 8 feet thick and 17 feet high, with battlements. It had four towers, and was surrounded by a wet ditch. It is supposed to have been built about the year 1100, though the particular date is not known. It is first mentioned in history in 1228, and Huelbec, king of the Isles, was killed in besieging it in 1263. It was taken possession of by the English during the reign of John Baliol, but surrendered to Robert the Bruce in 1311. King Robert II. built a palace adjoining the castle, and frequently resided in it, betwixt 1376 and 1398, when he created his eldest son, Prince David, Duke of Rothesay, a title which the Prince of Wales still bears, and which was the first dukedom conferred in Scotland. On the 12th January 1400, Robert granted the charter of erection of the burgh of Rothesay. He died in the castle of Rothesay on 4th April 1406, and was buried in the Abbey of Paisley. It was burned by a brother of the Earl of Argyll in 1685, and has since lain in ruins.

Adjoining the parish church, which is situated about half a mile south of the castle, are the ruins of the choir of the old kirk of St. Mary's. There are several interesting sepulchral stone effigies of old knights in armour, and that of a lady and child. One of these tombs bears to have been repaired by the Marquis of Bute in 1817, and the burial vault of that noble family adjoins the parish church.

There are several remains of druidical monuments on the island, but the chief or most entire is at Langalchorid, in the parish of Kingarth.*

The two principal walks or drives in the island are-across the island by Port Bannatyne and Kames Bay and Castle to Etterick Bay, 5 miles; to Loch Fad, Dunnagoil and Kilchattan,

* The island of Bute is about fifteen miles long, in a straight line from northnorth-west to south-south-east, and the average breadth is three miles and a half. It is separated on the north from the district of Cowal in Argyllshire by the Kyles of Bute, and its southern shores lie about 8 miles from the north point of Arran. There are six lakes in the island. The largest, Loch Fad, extended originally to 138 acres, but is now considerably enlarged by the embankments of the cotton spinning company, whose works are placed on the water

THE KYLES OF BUTE.

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(8 miles), returning along the shore by Mountstuart and Ascog, 10 miles. (Total, 18 miles.) There is an extensive view from Barone hill, near Rothesay.

Leaving Rothesay, and continuing our course towards Ardrishaig, we enter the Kyles of Bute, a sound or strait lying between the northern part of the island of Bute and the coast of Cowal, forming a passage from the mouth of the Clyde to the mouth of Loch Fyne. Loch Straven and Loch Ridden, two arms of the sea, run up into the mainland on the north, and are both remarkable for the beauty of their scenery. On the eastern shore is Gortanloisk, and on the tongue of land formed by these two lochs is South-Hall, the seat of John Campbell, Esq. The finest scenery lies at the mouth of Loch Ridden, where the channel is contracted by four small islands, on one of which (called Eillangheirrig, or Red Island), may still be seen the ruins of a fort garrisoned by the Earl of Argyll in 1685, when, in concert with the Duke of Monmouth he attempted an invasion of the kingdom. Near the head of Loch Ridden is Ormadale, with a handsome new pier. And further to the north of this is Glendaruel, a wide valley, the property of Archibald Campbell, Esq., watered by the River Ruel, an excellent fishing stream. The kirk and clachan of Kilmodan, where there is a good inn, are prettily situated in the valley.

The Kyles are terminated towards the west by Ruban Point, passing which the steamer halts for a few minutes at Taynabruich Pier, and then emerges into the open space between Lamont Point on the mainland, and Etterick Bay in Bute. On the right is Kaimes with its powder mills, from which a road strikes across to Loch Fyne. On the left, off the west coast of Bute, is the islet of Inchmarnock, with the ruins of a chapel. On turning Lamont Point, Ardlamont, the seat of the ancient family of Lamont, is seen on the right; opposite, on the left, is the peninsula of Cantire, and to the south, the hills of Arran. On the coast of Cantire on the left, flowing from this lake. The others are Ascog Loch, Quien Loch, Greenan Loch, Loch Dhu, and Lochantarbh. The climate is mild and genial, so much so that it has been compared to that of Devonshire. In consequence of this, the island is resorted to by consumptive invalids, as well as for summer quarters. The Marquis of Bute is the chief proprietor of the island. His seat is Mountstuart, on the east side of the island, 5 miles from Rothesay.