Summer at the Lake of Monteith

TJie Lake of Monteith.
west. On each side of the gateway stood the crests of the
Earls of Menteith and Airth.
Adjoining the aforementioned vault, and on the south
side, stand the ruins of a large nunnery,* said to be the
oldest building on the island. It measures nearly one
hundred feet long, and the lower storey has been arched
over. One of the apartments, the kitchen, is still standing
— the large chimney and fireplace being very entire. The
windings of a stair which has reached to some high portion
of the building can also be traced.
On the south-western portion of the island, and sur-
rounded by a broken-down wall, is the original flower
garden of the Earls of Menteith. This plot of ground is
thirty-five yards square, and in the centre stands a fine
old boxwood tree, said to have been planted by Queen
Mary. Notwithstanding its having weathered the storm
of ages, it is in a fine healthy and growing state. This
tree measures upwards of three feet in circumference, and
has beautifully spread branches.
On a gentle rising knoll, at the western side of the
aforementioned flower-plot, stands what is called " Queen
Mary's Bower," said to have been planted by her own
tiny hand; and such a spot could only be chosen by a
Queen. This most interesting little spot measures thirty-
three yards round the outside, and was originally adorned
with a row of boxwood trees, planted at regular intervals,
with a thorn in the centre; but through neglect, the plun-
* This building is traditionally called " The Nunnery," but for what reason I
cannot discover, there being no note in history that there had ever been a nunnery
or nuns on the island. Graham of Duchray says it was the "dwellings of the
churchmen. "