54 THE LAKES OF SCOTLAND. 



Not many miles distant from Loch Katrine, is Loch Achray ; it 

 is only of limited dimensions, being but a mile in length, and not 

 more than half a mile in breadth. On this account, therefore, it is 

 not entitled to special notice ; but it is so on account of the matchless 

 beauty of the adjoining scenery, and the place it occupies in the 

 novels and poetry of Sir Walter Scott. The great magician, finding 

 it impossible, notwithstanding his unequalled powers of description, 

 to convey any correct conception of its beauties to the minds of his 

 readers, contented himself with the application to it of the word 

 "lovely:" nothing, indeed, could be more so. On the south, the 

 ground which gradually rises from the margin of the lake, is in a 

 great measure clad with heath, which in the summer season is not 

 only pleasing to the eye, but emits a fragrant smell. The northern 

 side of the lake has a rocky aspect ; but so far from having a 

 repulsive appearance, it is remarkably soft and pleasant, owing to 

 the rich covering of wood which conceals its harsher features. In 

 the distance are huge mountains, whose towering tops seem to 

 embrace the sky : amid these mountains are numerous glens of great 

 depth, whose silence is only disturbed by the streamlets which 

 gurgle on their transit to the lake. It was early on the morning 

 after we had visited Loch Katrine, that we proceeded to Loch 

 Achray. The lake itself was silvered over by the rays of one of the 

 brightest suns that ever shone on our world, making the beauties of 

 nature more beautiful still : add to this, that on the boughs of the 

 trees which overshadow the northern margin of the lake, were 

 perched a countless throng of feathered choristers, all expressing by 

 their "sweet voices" how sensibly they were alive to the joy- 

 inspiring scene, and some idea may be formed of the ecstatic delight 

 which we felt while we wandered along the shores of Loch Achray. 



Passing over several other lakes abounding in romantic and pic- 

 turesque scenery, and which are well worthy a visit from the tourist, 

 we come to Loch Ness. This lake is situated in Inverness-shire : 

 its eastern extremity is about six miles southwest from Inverness : it 

 is about twenty-three miles in length, and from one to one and a half 

 in breadth : the depth in some places is so great, that it has never 

 yet been sounded : in many parts the depth varies from one to eight 

 hundred fathoms. The scenery on the north side of the lake is 

 beautiful in no ordinary degree : on the south side its magnificence 

 quite overpowers the mind. When it first broke on our eye, it 

 seemed as if we had been suddenly introduced into a new world. 

 The most imaginative poet that ever lived, never, in the most un- 

 bridled moments of his fancy, conceived any thing approaching 

 to it. We felt we were beholding a scene which immeasurably 

 transcended any thing of which we had ever read, even in fairy tale. 

 Compared with it, how poor the happiest efforts of art! On either 

 side are a number of high hills, or rather ranges of mountains, whose 

 towering tops, as the poet expresses it, invade the heavens : the face 

 of these mountains is, for the most part, thickly studded with trees 

 of various kinds, including the beech, the oak, the ash, the birch, &c. 

 On the south side is a beautiful avenue of many miles length. The 

 road, which for excellence equals any in Europe, is on the very 

 brink of the lake, which enables the spectator to see the imposing 



