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Dunblane - 'The Prospect of the Town of Dumblane'
Here Slezer views Dumblane – an older spelling of Dunblane – from across farmland and the river, the Allan Water. The prospect takes in the bridge leading to the town at one end and the ruined Dunblane Cathedral at the other.
The Perthshire farmlands on either side of the river have just been harvested, though the 'stooks' or stacks of hay haven't yet been gathered in. Sailing on the river are several small boats.
Image from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer, 1693.
To the Right Honourable Thomas Marquess of Carmarthen, Earl of Danby, Viscount of Dumblane and Latimer, Baron Osborne of Kiveton, &c. Lord President of their Majesties Council in England, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, &c.
Dumblane is a pleasant little Town, on the Bank of the River Allan, where the Ruines of the Bishops and Regular Canons Houses are to be seen. Here the Lord William Drummond, Viscount of Strathallan, hath very fine Dwellings, and considerable Revenues in the Circumjacent Country.
Here also was a Church of excellent Workman-ship, a part of which remains yet intire. In the Ruines whereof is an ancient Picture representing the Countess of Stratherne, with her Children kneeling, asking a Blessing from St. Blanus cloathed in his Pontifical Habit.
Not long ago Robert Lighton was Bishop of this Place, a Man of an Exemplary Life and Conversation. He was afterwards translated to the See of Glasgow, which he willingly resigned, and gave himself wholly up to the Exercises of a pious and contemplative Life.
At his Death he left all his Books, both Manuscripts and others, to the Use of the Diocess of Dumblane, and mortified a Summ of Money for erecting a Library. A Salary was mortified also to the Bibliothecarius by the same Bishop's Sister's Son. It gives the Title of Viscount of Dumblane to the Family of Carmarthen, in England.
