Summer at the Lake of Monteith

TJie Lake of Monteith.
and still called the " Nuns' Walk " — led to this place of
retirement, and completely screened them from the vulgar
gaze. This mound appears to have been partly natural
and partly artificial. It has finely sloping sides, with flat
top, and a large oak tree spreads its withered arms around
its summit; while, at the east side, a beautiful specimen
of native fir hangs its green tresses over the ancient walk,
once trod by holy feet alone.
Between a point on the south side of the island and
the adjacent " Talla " or " Earl's Isle," there is an echo
that will repeat several words at a time; and oft has this
" hollow sound " returned the holy voice of a monk or
nun, and sent back the thundering tones of a belted
knight or warrior, or whispered from isle to isle the lisping
accents of the virgin Queen, as the fairy thing sported
along the pebbled shore.
The Island of Inchmahome is beautifully wooded; many
of the trees have attained an immense size, and have
spread their antlered heads for ages over its hallowed
soil. A number of these monarchs of the forest have
yielded to the gale, and their gigantic trunks lie scattered
over the soil that gave them birth, telling the spectator
clear moonlight night when the monk threw aside the gown and cowl for a warrior's
dress, and took his place on the appointed spot. Ey-and-by a small black speck
is seen on the Inchie shore; 'twas the nun in her lover's boat. She, footsore and
weary, had trod the plain from Stirling to the lake, and was now pushing her scal-
lop over the tiny waves. Shortly the boat touched the sand, and the fair lady
sprang into her supposed lover's arms; but, alas! it was only to be hurled back to
perish in the blue waters. Next day the monks on the island had the body taken
from the lake, and interred in an upright posture on the knoll — hence the " Nun's
Hill." A large stone near the top of the hill marks the supposed spot. At a cer-
tain hour in the evening, tradition says, a dark figure may yet be seen treading the
" Nuns' Hill."