No. 78. From EDINBURGH to St. ANDREW'S. - By KIRKCALDY, DYSART and ANSTRUTHER.

(a) Anstruther to St. Andrew's avoiding Crail.

7 miles.

DYSART, on the sea coast of Fifeshire, is a very handsome town containing three principal streets. It was created a royal burgh in the 16th century, and has a good harbour. The central street is the most ancient, and many of its houses bear inscriptions and dates. In the middle of the town is a square, in which stands the Town House. A considerable trade is carried on in the export of coals and salt. In the vicinity is Dysart House, an elegant mansion, the seat of the Earl of Rosslyn. Pop. 1800.

About two miles beyond Dysart is Wester Wemyss, a dirty and ruinous town, with several salt pans and a harbour, from which coals are exported. Near it are the ruins of an old chapel surrounded by trees; and at a short distance stands Wemyss Castle, crowning a rock overhanging the sea. About a mile distant are the remains of the original building. It was at Wemyss Castle that Queen Mary had her first interview with Darnley.

EASTER WEMYSS is a village on the coast of Fifeshire, chiefly inhabited by weavers. Near it are the ruins of Macduff Castle, erected in the 11th century by the first Earl of Fife; and a mile distant is the fishing village of Buckhaven, one of the most irregularly built places in Scotland.

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During the last century it was no uncommon occurrence for the fishermen here to catch 25,000 haddocks in one day, but for some time past these fish have left the coast. The inhabitants are supposed to be descended from the crew of a Dutch vessel which was stranded here in the reign of James VI. Coal and salt are the principal articles of export. The coast near Wemyss is indented with numerous caves, in one of which, still called the King's Cave, James IV. when benighted took refuge with a party of banditti.

LEVEN, in Fifeshire, is a populous village situated at the mouth of the Leven, over which is a wire Bridge. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the linen manufacture. Pop. 1300.

In a park on the north side of the road beyond Leven are the Lundie Stones, three upright stones said to have been placed here in memory of three Danish generals.

LARGO, in Fifeshire, consists of two distinct villages about a mile from each other. Lower Largo is a considerable fishing village, situated on Largo Bay, and remarkable as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, whose extraordinary adventures formed the ground for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. The house in which he was born is situated on the north side of the principal street near Craigwell Pump, and still contains the chest and cup which he brought home from Juan Fernandez.

Upper Largo is a pleasant little village situated at the foot of Largo Law, which rises 1010 feet above the level of the sea, and commands a fine view. It is much frequented in This village is the birthplace of Sir Andrew Wood, the Scottish Admiral, noted for his loyalty to James III., and for the numerous victories which he obtained over the English. James IV. conferred on him the barony of Largo, to which

summer.

place he retired, bringing with him many of his nautical ideas. He caused a canal to be formed from his house to the church, on which he sailed with great state every Sunday to attend public worship. Largo has an Hospital for twelve old men of the name of Wood, founded in the 17th century by a descendant of the Admiral. Durham, who was first a captain of dragoons, and afterwards minister of the High Church, Glasgow, in Cromwell's time, and Professor Leslie, were also natives of Largo. Pop. 2500.

COLLINSBURGH is a flourishing village of Fifeshire, with a handsome Church.

Two miles distant is the royal burgh of Ely, a neat little town with a good harbour. Wadehaven, a little to the east of it, was named after General Wade, who recommended this place as a harbour.

About a mile on this side of Pittenweem is the ancient fishing town of St. Monan's, with a tolerable harbour. The Church, situated on a rock projecting into the sea, was formerly attached to a priory of Black Friars. It has recently been repaired, but till 1827 remained exactly in the same state as in the time of Charles I. and was on this account frequently visited as a curiosity. One of its galleries was appropriated to the Covenant-General Leslie, afterwards Lord Newark. Upon the shore a mile distant are the remains of Newark Castle, the seat of General Leslie.

PITTENWEEM, in Fifeshire, is a royal burgh, which like most of those in this county, has declined from its ancient importance. It has, however, a good modern harbour, and carries on a tolerable trade in salt and coals. The name of this place is derived from a great cave, or weem, situated near the beach, consisting of two spacious apartments, the inner

most having a well of good water at the end of it. A staircase, which is closed up, formerly connected the cave with the Priory situated on the rock above it, and now in ruins. This priory was once superintended by St. Fillan, who afterwards retired to the vicinity of Tyndrum. Opposite the ruins is the Town House, and at the side stands the Church. Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury, was a native of this town. Pop. 1300.

Between Pittenweem and Anstruther is Earlsferry, once a royal burgh, but now an inconsiderable village. To the west of it stands Kincraig Rock, remarkable for its caves, one of which, called Macduff's Cave, penetrates 200 feet into the rock, and forms an immense arch 160 feet in height.

ANSTRUTHER or ANSTER, in Fifeshire, is divided into two small towns, called West and East, about a mile apart, but both situated on a bay which forms a good harbour. The principal street, extending along the shore, consists of well-built houses, but the other streets are narrow and crooked. This town was formerly a place of great commercial importance, and still imports considerably from Holland and the Baltic. In the Church of West Anstruther is a stone coffin, said to be that of St. Adrian, who was killed by the Danes on the Isle of May. East Anstruther was the residence of Maggie Lauder, well known to the lovers of Scotch 'song; and Anster Fair has recently been made the subject of a poem by Mr. Tennant.

Pop. 1200. Inn: Mercer's.

To the east of Anster is the large fishing village of Cellardykes.

KILRENNY is a royal burgh of Fifeshire, the inhabitants of which are chiefly employed in fishing. Pop. 1600.

CRAIL, like the other royal burghs of Fifeshire, was once

a place of note, but has now dwindled to comparative insignificance. It consists of two parallel streets extending along the shore, which is here steep and high. Many of its houses are large and ancient. The Church was formerly collegiate, and is remarkable as that in which John Knox preached a sermon in 1559, which so inflamed his auditors that they proceeded immediately to St. Andrews and destroyed its cathedral. Archbishop Sharp was once minister of this parish, and his hand-writing is still shown in the sessions records. In the old Castle of Crail David I. died, in 1153. Pop. 1950.

About a mile east of Crail is the Promontory of Fifeness, or East Neuk of Fife, from which a popular Scottish air takes its name. Here is shown a cave where Constantine II. was beheaded in 872 by the Danes, who had defeated and taken him prisoner. This promontory is defended against the violence of the sea by a long ridge called the Carr Rocks.

KING'S BARNS, in Fifeshire, received its name from some storehouses erected by King John when he resided in the vicinity.

No. 79. From EDINBURGH to SANQUHAR. BY BIGGAr.

LEADHILLS is a village of Lanarkshire, said to be the highest inhabited ground in the island. The country around has a gloomy and sterile appearance, but there are rich lead mines which produce annually about 18,000 bars. Several varieties of lead are procured from these mines, some of them affording a proportion of silver. Gold has also been found in the neighbouring streams of Elvan and Glengonar, but not in sufficient quantities to defray the expense of the search.