Ossian Collection > Journal of a tour in Scotland in

DUNKELD 45
small druidical circle on our right. As we
approached Dimkeld we went thro' the Duke
of Athol's plantations, some of the most
extensive in the island ; indeed I know not if
there be any which equal them. He has
covered hills which are 1200 feet above the
level of the sea, and which are so inaccessible
in parts, that Mr Telford once asked him if
he had scattered the cones there by firing
them from cannon. He smiled at the question,
being pleased that the difficulty of the enter-
prize had been thus justly estimated, and he
replied that in many places they had been set by
boys who were let down from above by ropes.
The approach to Dunkeld from this side is
peculiarly fine. The cathedral, which tho'
grievously injured, has escaped with less
injury than many others from the brutality
of the Calvinistic reformers, is most happily
placed with the river in front, and some noble
woods on a rising ground behind ; behind
these woods is the King's seat, some 800 feet
above the level of the surrounding country,
covered with trees wherever the crags will
permit them to grow. But the foreground
of this incomparable picture, which would else
be worthy of all the other parts, is deformed
by a good comfortable house, built by the