The whole country roundabout is full of Burns associations. A short distance off is Auld Alloway Kirk, where Burns’ father is buried, and where Tam o’ Shanter, overcome by the spirits that he imbibed too freely, was assailed and pursued by spirits ghostly. A short distance beyond the church are two bridges over the Doon, the old bridge being celebrated as the one over which Tam o’ Shanter made his escape from the evil spirits. In the garden near the bridges stands the formal but impressive Burns Monument. [Illustration: AULD BRIG O’ DOON _The old bridge at Ayr, celebrated in Burns’ lines._] Between that humble cottage down the road toward Ayr, and the Greek monument in the garden, is told the story of a simple, sweet, singing bard, whose lines so completely filled the hearts of his fellowmen that the very scenes of which he sang have become endeared to all humanity. THE WALTER SCOTT COUNTRY Between Loch Achray and Loch Katrine lies the Trossachs, beautiful in winding wooded roads and lake and mountain views--and famed chiefly for being Walter Scott’s own land of romance. It has often been said that one who has read Scott’s novels needs no guidebook in the Trossachs. Drive through this charming valley to Loch Katrine, a beautiful lake nearly ten miles long. From the east end steep cliffs ascend from the water’s edge, and there, looking through the brilliant foliage on the bank, you can see the pretty little _Ellens Isle_, made immortal in Walter Scott’s poem, “Lady of the Lake.” This is one of the most “pictured” spots in Scotland. You will find it in any illustrated volume of Scott’s poems. You will find it in color and in gravure, in large prints and on postcards, wherever you turn. It is the very heart of the Trossachs, and one of the most inviting spots in the British Isles--as attractive in its natural beauty as in the romantic associations that cast their spell about it. [Illustration: THE BURNS MEMORIAL _Standing on a hillside park near the town of Ayr. In a room within the monument are a number of Burns relics, together with his bust and portrait._] MELROSE ABBEY Hallowed by eight hundred years of history and immortalized by Walter Scott, Melrose Abbey stands today the most interesting, as well as the most beautiful, ruin in Scotland. It is the drawing attraction of the little town of Melrose, situated on the Tweed. Enticed by the magic of Scott’s lines, thousands visit the Abbey every year. “If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moonlight.” So firmly have these verses stamped themselves on the hearts of readers all over the world that tourists feel that their visit is not complete unless they have seen the Abbey “by pale moonlight.” In response to this desire the Abbey is opened on moonlight nights for special visits. [Illustration: SIR WALTER SCOTT]