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THE SEAT OF THE

EARL OF DUNMORE,

THIS tasteful mansion, which stands upon rising ground, on the southern shore of the river Forth, about six miles from Stirling, was erected after a very correct design by William Wilkins, Esq., in the Tudor style of architecture. The annexed view, taken from the south-west, shews the entrance porch, on the west, and the south, or principal front of the edifice, upon a raised terrace, with the river and distant scenery in the county of Clackmannan. The centre division of the front consists of a large quadrangular tower, with a varied line of building on each side, having octagonal turrets upon the angles. This front is adorned by two large bower windows, having the light divided by perpendicular mullions; the other windows have square-cornered labels over them between. the upper and lower windows of the projecting bowers are quatrefoils, charged with shields; and above, within panels, is a beautiful strawberry-leaf ornament; the parapet over the bower windows, rises in pointed gables, surmounted by finials.

The porch is formed by three pointed arches, with windows in the same character to the room above it; beyond the porch, on the west side, is a large octagonal turret. A crenellated parapet surrounds the whole building, and rich clusters of ornamented chimneys rise above it. The turrets and varied lines of the parapets give the building a most picturesque appearance, as seen amid the trees of the park.

The hall of entrance is of an octagonal form, and opens upon a corridor, leading to the dining-room, drawing-room, and library, upon the south front. The dining-room and drawing-room are of the same dimensions, thirty-six feet long by twenty-four wide; the latter has a bower window both on the south and east.

The library in the centre of this front is a noble room, forty-two feet in length, by twenty-four in width. Private apartments occupy the east front, and the domestic offices the north, beyond which are stables, &c.

The park is very richly wooded, and well stocked with deer: every part admits of the most beautiful views of the country; Stirling castle, the windings of the Forth, and the town of Alloa, all interesting objects, agreeably diversify the scene.

Lord Charles Murray, second son of John, Marquess of Athol, and brother of John, Duke of Athol, was created Earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle, and Baron Murray of Blair, 16th August, 1686; and, soon after the accession of Queen Anne, he was made one of the Lords of the privy council, and constituted Captain of Blackness Castle in 1707. His lordship died in 1710, when his eldest son, James, became the second Earl of Dunmore, but, dying soon after, was succeeded by his brother, John, third Earl of Dunmore, who was colonel of the third regiment of Guards, and was elected one of the sixteen peers of Scotland, in 1713; dying without issue in 1752, he was succeeded by his brother William, fourth Earl of Dunmore, who married the daughter. of Lord William Murray, afterwards Lord Nairn; and at his death, in 1756, was succeeded by his son, John, fifth Earl of Dunmore, from 1761 to 1784, one of the sixteen peers of Scotland. His lordship married Charlotte, daughter of the Earl of Galloway; and at his death, in 1809, was succeeded by his son, George, the sixth Earl of Dunmore, who married Susan, daughter of Archibald, Duke of Hamilton.

Airth Castle, Stirlingshire;

THE SEAT OF

THOMAS GRAHAM STIRLING, ESQ.

AIRTH CASTLE is situated in a parish of the same name, on the southern bank of the majestic Firth of Forth. The large square Tower, on the left of our View, was built previous to the battle of Falkirk, in 1298. Blind Harry, in his History of Sir William Wallace, mentions, that the priest of Dunipace, the uncle of that great hero, was confined here in a wet dungeon; and that the English garrison was routed, and their prisoner rescued from confinement, by the intrepid daring of his gallant nephew. In commemoration of that event, this part of the building has always borne the name of Wallace's Tower. The eastern tower and turret are also very ancient; they were united to Wallace's Tower by the south front, which is represented in the engraving, in the reign of James VI., when an addition was also made to the north. Over the old entrance was the date 1581, with the arms of the families of Bruce and Elphinstone, to whom the mansion formerly belonged. The old part of the building is in the form of the letter V: but in 1807 the north wing was united to Wallace's Tower by a castellated front, designed by D. Hamilton, of Glasgow; the centre of this building is seen over the ancient wing in our view. The Entrance Hall conducts to a Saloon in the angle of the old building, to which the principal rooms enter. The Dining-room is in the modern part of the house, but the Drawing-rooms occupy the south wing of the old building. From the windows are beautiful views of the grounds around the house, with the highly cultivated Carse of Falkirk in the distance. The walls in the west tower are built with stones of vast size, together with sea-sand and shells. From the battlements of the east tower the prospect is particularly magnificent. Far to the east is seen the Castle of Edinburgh, while that of Stirling is about eight miles to the westward. On the north-east, the Forth expands to a great breadth, and is constantly crowded with vessels. Its shores on both sides are decorated with splendid mansions and extensive woods and lawns. The ancient Tower of Clackmannan stands amid some aged trees on a rising ground, directly to the north. It was formerly the chief seat of the Bruces, but is now the property of Lord Dundas. On the margin of the Forth, farther to the west, is the town of Alloa. The spire of the church, upwards of two hundred feet in height, is an imposing object through all the country. The venerable ruin of Alloa Tower stands to the east of the town, and was built nearly seven hundred years ago, being the only remaining part of a large pile, which was unfortunately burned about the beginning of the present century. In the Park is an immense number of trees of vast size. Alloa is the property of John Francis Erskine, Earl of Mar; and has been the residence of that great family for many ages. On the north-east is the modern mansion of Tulliallan, situated immediately about the bank of the Forth, which was built by Admiral Lord Viscount Keith, G. C. B. K. C., who died there in March, 1823, aged 76.

In the castle of Airth there are three fine original portraits of celebrated persons: the great Marquess of Montrose, K. G.; the Admirable Crichton; and Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, with whose death at Killicrankie, in 1689, though in the moment of victory, fell the fortunes of James II. of England. The Church, now a ruin, adjoins the Castle, as is seen in the view. It is an ancient structure, and was repaired in 1591. It belonged to the Abbey of Holyrood in 1128; and in the time of episcopacy was under the bishops of Edinburgh. In one of the aisles is a handsome marble monument of the family of Bruce. Five miles on the south are the celebrated Carron Iron-works.

In the neighbouring parish of Dunipace are the remains of the Torwood; and the wreck of an oak is still seen, wherein Sir William Wallace was concealed, and which is said to have measured twelve feet in diameter.

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