celebrated Abbey on the left. (See Route 32). The next station is ST BOSWELL'S (401 miles), the junction for Kelso, Dunse, and Jedburgh, (The distance to KELSO is 11 miles. Population, 4,500. It is beautifully situated on the Tweed, opposite the junction of the Teviot. Its chief ornament is the Abbey, now in ruins. It was founded by David I. in 1128. The architecture is Saxon, with a mixture of Gothic; the central tower is 90 feet high. At RoxBURGH STATION, 8 miles from St Boswell's, on the way to KELSO, a branch road extends to JEDBURGH which is 7 miles from the junction. This town has a population of about 5,500 It was one of the most noted of the border towns. There are no remains of its castle. THE ABBEY, a large and once magnificent structure, in the form of a cross, was founded by David I. Part of it has been fitted up as a Parish Church. In the lower part of the town is shown a mansion, where Queen Mary was detained by illness for several weeks; her illness having been the consequence of her ride on horseback from Jedburgh to Hermitage Castle 18 miles distant, and back on the same day. She went to visit Bothwell, who was ill). Leaving Belses (451 miles), we reach Hassendean or Hazeldean (48 miles), renowned by the old song of "Jock o' Hazeldean." On the left is Minto Castle, and the hill called Rubers Law. Shortly after passing HAWICK (53 miles), celebrated for its woollen manufactures, we see, on the right, Branksome Castle, mentioned in the " Lay of the Last Minstrel."

"Nine-and-twenty knights of fame Hung their shields in Branksome Hall."

At Stobs (502 miles), we pass, on the left, Stobs Castle, and proceed to Riccarton Junction (66 miles), where the Border Counties Railway turns off to the left for Newcastle. Here we enter Liddesdale, and soon afterwards pass on the right, near Steele Road (694 miles), Hermitage Castle, the property of the Duke of Buccleuch. Queen Mary paid a visit to the Earl of Bothwell when he was owner of this castle. Passing New Castleton (74 miles), we enter England at Kershope Foot (77 miles). Passing some unimportant stations, we reach Longtown, the junction for Gretna (88 miles), and, 9 miles further, arrive at CARLISLE. (See Route 36.)

luichart Auchnasheen, Auchnashellach and Strathcarron, to Strome Ferry, from whence steamers sail to Portree in the Isle of Skye and Stornoway in the Western Islands (see Route 18).

Eleven miles farther is INVERGORDON, a village situated on the northerly side of Cromarty Firth. It has a good harbour, and is about 5 miles from the Lighthouse. TAIN is now reached (44 miles (Hotel: Royal), a royal burgh of considerable antiquity, pleasantly situated, and with a good view of Eastern Sutherland and Cromarty. Bonar Bridge (50 miles) is in the midst of fine scenery, and the locality is attractive.

Coaches run daily along the coast to the ancient cathedral town of Dornoch, now a reduced burgh. The district here is very rich in agricultural products, and some of the finest farms in Scotland lie between Dornoch and the north-eastern boundary of the county. The next station is Invershin (good hotel), near which there is excellent fishing. Four miles farther, we reach LAIRG (Sutherland Arms), a convenient station for trips into Sutherland. A road strikes off to the northwest, giving access to this side of the country, where the scenery is most remarkable, and also to the West Coast, up to Cape Wrath, &c. It is a pretty town, and a great rendezvous for tourists and sportsmen. Loch Shin, at the foot of which the town lies, is a famous fishing place. The extensive land reclamation works of the Duke of Sutherland are at Shirness, 5 miles from Lairg. They are visited by a great number of foreigners and others interested in agriculture. Passing several small stations, we soon reach GOLSPIE (84 miles) (Hotel: utherland Arms), pleasantly

situated. The part of the line from here to Helmsdale is called the Duke of Sutherland's line, having been made at his cost. Near the town is Dunrobin Castle, the Duke's seat, a magnificent pile, enlarged within the last 20 years, at great expense, and finely placed for land and sea views. When the Duke's family pay their annual visit to the castle, the locality is the scene of great bustle and volunteer reviews, balls, competitions, and cattle and industrial shows. The Prince and Princess of Wales were guests at Dunrobin Castle in 1868. Brora, a fishing village, 5 miles from Golspie, is noted for good angling.

At Helmsdale (Hotel: Commercial), the "Duke's line' ends. At its harbour, about 200 boats prosecute the herring fishing in autumn. From here a continuation of the railway called the Sutherland and Caithness was opened, 1874, to Thurso and Wick. It passes over a moory district, by 12 or 13 stations, including Kildonan, Kinbrace, Forsinard, Altnabreac, Scotscalder, Halkirk, and Georgemas Junction, where a branch turns off to Hoy and Thurso. From Georgemas to Bower, Walten, Bilbster, to the termination at WICK (161 miles), the terminus of the Highland Railway. (Hotels: New Hotel, Caledonian).

A stirring town, with a new harbour, which cost £120,000. The herring fishing is the staple trade, and gives employment to many thousands. Here multitudes from distant parts resort during the fishing season, when the town presents, especially on the days of success, a most wonderful scene of bustle and excitement. Numerous tourists visit the locality. Some very fine buildings have been recently built, particularly a

new church and a new court house. The exports of the district are chiefly herrings (which are caught to the value of £200,000), cod, salmon, cattle, sheep, pork, eggs (of which about 8,000,000 are yearly exported), paving-stones (the finest in the kingdom), lobsters, &c. THURSO (154 miles) (Hotels: Royal, Caledonian), is a very ancient burgh. It is especially remarkable for its excellent sanitary state, and has very fine scenery. Its river is one of the best angling rivers in the north. One end of Pentland Firth, on which the town is situated, terminates in the red sandstone cliffs of Holborn Head, rising 400 feet above sea, with a rock called the Clett outside it, swarming with sea-birds. In stormy weather, the waves of the Atlantic here break with sublime effect. The solitary island of Hoy and the Orkneys are in view. The place consists of an old and new town, and contains a handsome Gothic Parish Church, with a tower 140 feet high, and four other churches and chapels. The salmon and other fisheries are productive; the salmon fishery lets for £1000 a-year. The old town of Thurso dates as far back as the 12th century. Thurso Castle, the seat of Sir J. Tollemache Sinclair, Bart., M.P., to the east of the town, was built in 1660, by an Earl of Caithness, so close to the sea, that a breakwater has been raised to prevent the waves dashing into the house. Here Sir John Sinclair was born, 1754; a well-known benefactor to Scotland, as the projector of its Statistical Survey, and the founder of the Board of Agriculture. His daughter, Catherine Sinclair, author of the "Modern Circuit, "Modern Society," and other works, was also born here.

ROUTES FROM EDINBURGH TO LONDON.

(There are three routes from Edinburgh to London). 1. That by the Caledonian Railway (West Princes Street Station), which goes to Carlisle by way of Carstairs Junction. From Carlisle, trains go over the line of the London and North-Western Railway, the route being through Lancaster, Preston, Crewe, and Rugby, the London station being the EUSTON. The distance from Edinburgh to London by this route is 401 miles, the fast express trains making the distance in ten hours. That part of the route from Carstairs to Carlisle is described in Route 14, the part from London to Carlisle in Route 44. Fares, first class, 57s. 6d. ; second, 44s. 9d.; third, 32s 8d. Saloon coaches are run on the fast morning express, without extra charge, and sleeping coaches on the evening express (extra charge, 58).

2.

That by the North British Railway (Waverley Station), which goes from Edinburgh to Berwick-on-Tweed, and thence over the Great Northern Route, through Durham, Newcastleon-Tyne, York, and Peterborough, the London station being the "KING'S CROSS. The distance is 397 miles, time, by the most rapid express train, nine hours. For description of that part of the route between Edinburgh and Berwick, see Route 33, for description of that part between London and Berwick, see Route 43. Fares, same as No. 1 above. On the morning express trains each way, saloon carriages are run

(without extra charge), and on the evening express trains, Pullman's sleeping cars, (extra charge 88).

3. That by the North British Railway (Waverley Station), to Carlisle, by what is known as the "Waverley Route." This route passes Melrose. From Carlisle, trains go over the line of the Midland Railway, the route being through Normanton, Leicester, and Bedford, the London station being ST PAN

CRAS. The distance is about 420 miles. For description of that part of the route between Edinburgh and Carlisle, see Route 34. For description of that part between Carlisle and London, see Route 44. Fares, same as by No. 1 and No. 2 above. Pullman's drawing-room carriages (extra charge 5s.), are run on morning express trains in either direction, and on evening express trains, Pullman's sleeping cars (extra charge, 8s.)