and picturesque mansion was built in 1777 by David tenth Earl, on the site of the old House of the Cove, erected about the middle of the sixteenth century by Sir Thomas Kennedy, second son of Gilbert Earl of Cassillis. It stands upon the verge of a massive basaltic cliff overhanging the sea, presenting a range of lofty castellated masses, with Gothic windows, a terraced garden in front, a bridge of approach and offices in corresponding style at a little distance to the left. The building covers an area of four acres, and conveys a most imposing impression of baronial dignity, affluence, and taste. The interior of the castle contains an extensive and valuable collection of arms and armour.

The Kennedys have long held a prominent place among the aristocracy of Ayrshire. According to the old rhyme,

"Twixt Wigton and the town o' Ayr,

Port-Patrick and the Cruives of Cree,
Nae man need think for to bide there,
Unless he court wi' Kennedy."

This powerful family was first ennobled, in 1466, by the title of Lord Kennedy; in 1510 they attained the dignity of Earls of Cassillis; and in 1831, Archibald the twelfth Earl was created Marquis of Ailsa. The main line of the Cassillis family became extinct in 1759, and the title and family estates became the inheritance of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Colzean, who accordingly became ninth Earl of Cassillis. He was descended from Sir T. Kennedy, who was assassinated near the town of Ayr, May 12, 1602, by Kennedy of Bargeny, at the instigation of Mure of Auchindrane, a deed which has been made the subject of a drama by Sir Walter Scott.

Directly underneath the castle are the Coves of Colzean, six in number. According to popular report, they are a favourite haunt of fairies; and are known to have afforded shelter, after the Revolution, to Sir Archibald Kennedy of Colzean, who acquired an unenviable notoriety as a persecutor during the reigns of Charles II. and James VII. Colzean and the Cove are alluded to by Burns in his "Halloween." Turnberry Castle,

"Where Bruce once ruled the martial ranks,

And shook the Carrick spear,"

During the

"the

stands a few miles to the south of Colzean. twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Turnberry Castle was principal house in Carrick, and the seat of a powerful race of native chiefs, derived from Fergus, Lord of Galloway, and designated Earls of Carrick, who possessed the supreme influence in this mountainous region previous to the rise of the Kennedys." In 1271, Robert Bruce, son of the Lord of Annandale, married the widowed Countess of Carrick, to whom the earldom had descended. From this union sprung Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, who, if not born in Turnberry Castle, must have spent many of his youthful years in it. It was in the neighbourhood of this place that a fire,*

* It is still generally reported and religiously believed by many, that this fire was really the work of supernatural power, unassisted by the hand of any mortal being; and it is said, that for several centuries the flame rose yearly on the same hour of the same night of the year on which the king first saw it from the turrets of Brodick Castle; and some go so far as to say, that if the exact time were known it would still be seen. That this superstitious notion is very ancient, is evident from the place where the fire is said to have appeared being called the Bogle's Brae beyond the remembrance of man.-See Lord of the Isles.

accidentally kindled, was mistaken by the hero for an appointed signal, and caused him to cross the sea from Arran to Carrick, to attempt the deliverance of his country. On landing, the mistake was discovered, but he nevertheless determined to proceed with the enterprise; and though he was not immediately successful in his exertions for the liberation of Scotland from the English yoke, he was never again forced to leave the country till this object was attained.

The rock on which Turnberry Castle is built rises about eighteen feet above high-water mark. The ruin has a majestic appearance from the sea, being elevated above the water some forty or fifty feet. A level plain of about two miles in extent forms the Castle Park; and nothing could be more beautiful than the copsewood and verdure of this extensive meadow before it was invaded by the ploughshare. Turnberry is still enumerated (under the denomination of Carrick) among the royal places of Scotland. It is now the property of the Marquis of Ailsa.

Ailsa Craig, a huge rock which rises abruptly from the sea, presents a striking appearance from the shore; it being 1103 feet in height, and about two miles in circumference at the base. Its nearest distance to land is about ten miles from the coast near Girvan. The ruins of a tower, of three storeys, are to be seen upon its summit. It is the property of the Marquis of Ailsa, who takes from it his title as a British Peer. Its principal productions are solan geese, goats, and rabbits. Ailsa Craig is noticed by Burns in his song of "Duncan Gray."

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAYSHIRE.

Between Glasgow and the southern counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Wigton, ample facilities of communication are now afforded by the Caledonian, and by the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railways; and though this part of Scotland cannot boast those remarkably picturesque features which distinguish the more northern districts, it nevertheless possesses many interesting and characteristic features, which render it attractive to the tourist. By an inspection of the map, it will be observed that in order to visit this southwestern portion of Scotland, the most natural and convenient starting-point is the town of

DUMFRIES.

[Hotels: King's Arms; Commercial; Railway. Population, 12,313.] 33 miles from Carlisle, 92 from Glasgow, 93 from Newcastle, 333 from London.

Distinctly traceable as is the antiquity of Dumfries, it was not until the twelfth century that it became a royal burgh. About seventy years thereafter, Devorgilla, daughter of Alan, last lord of Galloway, and mother of John Baliol, erected a monastery for Franciscan friars; and about the same time built a bridge across the Nith, with a view to endow, by tollage and other dues, the religious foundation. This wonderful structure, believed to be the oldest bridge in Scotland (excepting the vestiges of Roman arch-work), consisted originally of thirteen arches, with a barrier in the centre; but for some years they have been reduced to six, and the bridge is now only crossed by foot passengers. Castledyke forms another local antiquity; still retaining, though now private property, its original name. It has become, in proportion to its extent, one of the loveliest residences in the south of Scotland. Traces of its ancient fosses still remain, and like