Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

GLENCORSE—NEWHALL.
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pastoral character of the valley render it well worthy of a visit,
the appearance of the scenery, as well as the absence of all the
localities noticed by Ramsay, render this opinion extremely
improbable.
After crossing Glencorse Bum, the road passes (7) House-
of-Muir, where a large sheep market is held in spring. Road
on the left to Pennycuik. (7^) On the right, Rullion Green,
where the Covenanters were defeated, 28th November 1666.
(8) Road on the right to Pennycuik House.
(12) Newhall, the property of Robert Brown, Esq., lies on
the banks of the North Esk, about three miles from Pennycuik
House. At the era of Ramsay’s drama, it belonged to Dr.
Alexander Pennycuik, a poet and antiquary. In 1703, it
passed into the hands of Sir David Forbes, a distinguished
lawyer ; and, in Ramsay’s time, was the property of Mr. John
Forbes, son to Sir David, and cousin-german to the celebrated
President Forbes of Culloden.
The scenery around Newhall answers most minutely to the
description in the drama.* Near the house, by the water’s
side, are some romantic projecting crags, which give complete
“beild” or shelter, and form a most inviting retreat, corre¬
sponding with the first scene of the first act—and further up
the vale, and behind the house, there is a grass plot, of the
most luxuriant green, beside the bum, which answers to the
description of the second scene.
Pennycuik House, the seat of Sir George Clerk, Bart., is
well worthy of a visit. The neighbouring scenery is extremely
beautiful, and the pleasure-grounds are highly ornamented.
The house contains an extensive and excellent collection of
paintings, with a number of Roman antiquities found in Britain,
and, amongst other curiosities, the huff-coat worn by Dundee
at the battle of Killiecrankie.
* A neat illustrated copy of Ramsay’s Gentle Shepherd is published, price 2s. 6d.