Loch Ericht.-A footpath of 6 miles across the hills leads from this to Loch Ericht, a sheet of water 16 miles in extent, but possessing no interest except that of a bare and solitary simplicity. Here Charles Edward was concealed in a cave for some time after the defeat of Culloden. Pass of Killicrankie. This celebrated pass is situated a mile beyond Fascally, keeping the road to the right. Here a mass of huge mountain-rocks seem to meet in utter confusion, and here the Garry precipitates itself, in a series of thundering cataracts, among the hollow ravines and shelving precipices. Dark pinecovered mountains frown over this wild and turbulent scene, and altogether it is perhaps the most awe-inspiring that can be conceived. At the north end of this pass was fought, in 1689, the celebrated battle between Viscount Dundee, or the "bloody Claverhouse," and the army of King William, under the command of General Mackay; and the spot is here pointed out where the gallant Viscount received his mortal wound. After proceeding for about half a mile through this singularly romantic ravine, the tourist passes into an open and highly-cultivated vale, amid which is seen the ducal domains of Blair-Atholl. The huge BenVracky is seen towering immediately on the right, and, a little to the north, the no less gigantic Ben-yGloe. Advancing through the valley, the following seats are passed in succession : On the left, Killicrankie Cottage (Hay), On the right, Lude (M'Inroy). Blair-Atholl Village is situated on a rising ground at the bottom of the valley through which runs the Tilt, crossed by a bridge. Atholl-House, or Blair Castle, an ancient seat of the family of Atholl, is a little to the left, on a point of land where the Tilt and Garry join their waters. This castle is one of those old strongholds the period of whose foundation is uncertain. Tradition reports it to have been erected by John de Strathbogie, who obtained the estate by marrying the female representative of the family. It is of considerable extent and strength, and has repeatedly endured a siege, the last of which was in 1745. The scenery around this mansion is particularly worthy of the notice of the tourist. An immense forest of dark pines surrounds the whole, and imparts a heightened gloom and solemnity to the hollow mountain-glens and passes, and the numerous water-falls which thunder down the neighbouring crags. Excellent roads and walks intersect the whole, and thus render the scenery accessible. The falls of the Fender, a stream which runs down the sides of Ben-y-Gloe, ought to be visited; the first fall is about a mile distant from Atholl-House, and others succeed at short distances. Glen Tilt extends northwards of Blair, and is hemmed in on each side by huge mountains. Two streams also flow through it, the Tilt and the Bruar. To the west and north stretches the deep forests of Atholl. This is a singularly wild and romantic glen, possessing all the combinations of mountain scenery, lakes, woods, cataracts, and also smiling valleys, simple cottages, cultivated fields, and profusion of wild flowers. In the midst of this glen is a hunting lodge, and the parks are stocked with deer. On the borders of a small lake Loch Loch, the Earl of Atholl erected a sylvan palace, and here entertained King James V, his mo ther, the Pope's legate, and French ambassador. Such was the celebrity of this fete, that it has been fully recorded by more than one historian. At Glen Tilt is a celebrated field for the geologist. Here the junction of granite with the stratified rocks is distinctly visible. Gow's Bridge this junction is seen in the marble, as pointed out by the late Dr M'Culloch. Here, too, Professor Playfair drew facts for the illustration of Hutton's theories. The Falls of the Bruar are about three miles west of Atholl-House, where the stream of this name discharges its waters over a series of precipitous crags. These falls are on a very magnificent scale, and the effect is highly imposing. Burns the poet visited them, and, in consequence of his suggestions and poetical petition, they have been clothed by the proprietor with a profusion of wood. There are now two routes at the option of the tourist, one to the north-west, skirting the forests of Atholl, and having Strathgarry and Struan on the left, onwards to Dalnacardoch Inn, and from thence northwards to Inverness, or a road leading north-east through the valley of the Tilt onwards to the Linn of Dee, Mar Forest, Invercauld, and from thence along the banks of the Dee to Aberdeen. BLAIR-ATHOLL BY VALLEY OF THE DEE TO This tour may be conveniently made, as there is a pretty good road all the way. The scenery is, in many places, of a rich and picturesque description. Passing through the beautiful valley of Glen Tilt, the tourist arrives at The Linn of Dee. This is a water-fall formed by the river forcing its way through a long narrow gorge of the rocks, and precipitating its waters into a deep boiling caldron. The view from the bridge of the water-fall and surrounding country is very striking. Passing onwards Mar Lodge and Forest are seen on the left. This is a hunting-seat of the Earl of Fife, and this forest contains many stately pines" fit for the mast of some tall admiral." Castletown of Braemar, a village, is next passed. On the right is the mountain of" dark Loch-na-gar," the aspect of which seems early to have impressed Byron's youthful imagination. A little onwards crossing the Dee by a bridge Invercauld House (Farquharson) and grounds are seen, beautifully situated, and surrounded with venerable trees. A detour may be made north from Castleton to Loch Aven, a singularly picturesque piece of water, situated between Ben-MacDhui, the highest mountain in Britain, and the Cairngorm mountains, celebrated for the gems which bear their name. The road now leads along the north banks of the Dee, passing Monaltrie and Crathie; while on the south side of the river is seen Abergeldie Castle (Gordon). The tourist then passes in succession Ballater, Pannanich Wells, Dee Castle, on the right, Kincardine O'Neil village, Banchory House (Thomson), and then enters Aberdeen. PERTHSHIRE is the largest county in Scotland, and comprises the districts of Menteith, Strathearn, Gowrie, Stormont, Strathardle, Atholl, Breadalbane, and Rannoch. Its length from east to west is 70 miles, and breadth from north to south 66 miles. It contains two royal burghs-Perth and Culross, and 78 parishes. A considerable portion of the county is mountainous, and is only fit for pasturage. The valley of Strathearn and Carse of Gowrie are, however, extremely fertile. TOUR IV. EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW. THERE are three roads from Edinburgh to Glasgow. The south road, by Mid-Calder, Whitburn, and Kirk of Shotts, &c. forty-four miles. The north road, by Linlithgow, Falkirk, Cumbernauld, fortysix miles; and the middle road, the shortest and most frequented, which passes Corstorphin village, Uphall Inn, seventeen miles west of Edinburgh,-Bathgate, a town six miles farther on, and Airdrie, another town ten and a half miles from Glasgow, the whole distance by this road being forty-two and three-fourth miles. Passage-boats also sail by the Canal from Edinburgh to Glasgow, at certain hours every day in summer, making the passage in about seven hours, the windings of the Canal increasing the distance considerably. Miles. Edinburgh-Mid-Calder-Glasgow. 5 Hermiston. Riccarton House (Sir J. G. Craig) on the left. 7 Addiston (Earl of Morton). 9. Dalmahoy, seat of the Earl of Morton, on the left. Beyond this, on the left, Calder House (Lord Torphichen), Blackburn House, Cotton Mills. 384 Woodball (Campbell of Shawfield) on the right. left Clyde Iron-Works. On the 44 GLASGOW. |