SCENERY OF THE TROSACHS. LOCH-CATRINE 11 



The mountain range, which forms the outskirts of the Highlands, runs for 

 several miles due west from Callender, and then verges to the south towards 

 Benlomond. The small lakes of Vennachar and Achray, into which are dis- 

 charged the waters from Loch-Catrine, lie on the outside of the Highland 

 boundary ; while the latter is encompassed by mountains through which a com- 

 munication has been formed, between Loch-Catrine and Loch- Achray, by some 

 great convulsion of nature sweeping away the connecting link between Benan 

 and Benvenue, which, on either side, present lofty and inaccessible precipices. 

 The intermediate defile, known as the pass of the Trosachs, or " bristled 

 territory," is occupied by intricate groups of rocky and wooded eminences. 

 On the south of Vennachar and Achray, the hills are covered with heather, and 

 fringed at their base with oak. " Coilantogle ford," where Roderick Dim was 

 overcome by Fitz-James, is at the lower point of Loch- Vennachar. " Lanrick 

 Mead," the mustering-place of Clan Alpin, lies on the north side of the lake.* 



Loch-Catrine, serpentine in form, and about ten miles long by two in breadth, 

 is encircled by high mountains. The narrow river which conducts its waters to 

 Loch- Achray, keeps the southern side of the intermediate isthmus, sweeping by 

 the precipitous flank of Benvenue. Between the river and Benan are various 

 abrupt rocky ridges, rising into summits of different character some more or 

 less spiry ; others presenting elongated outlines. This labyrinth is tangled over 

 with a forest of oak, coppice, birch, and underwood, which also climb high up 

 the long and almost vertical side of Benan. Not many years ago Benvenue 

 could also boast a myriad of noble trees, which the extreme irregularity of its 

 shattered rocky sides threw into the most varied and effective groups. Byron 

 censured the excellent monks of St. Bernard for having hewn down the timber 

 from Clarens ; but the present was an act of greater sacrilege, inasmuch as 

 there was no similar apology for the axe. 



Until the publication of Dr. Robertson's " Statistical Account," in 1790, this 

 romantic district was comparatively unknown. Shut out from the rest of the 

 world by an almost impenetrable barrier of precipitous rocks, dark ravines, and 

 impervious forests, the bright waters of Loch-Catrine, and its romantic shores, had 



whose stone-representative happened to be displaced by the following morning, was regarded as fey that 

 is, one whose days were numbered, and might be expected to die within twelve months. These relics of 

 ancient superstition are always interesting, and often serve important ends in facilitating historical and 

 philosophical inquiry. See Local Statist. 



' For a minute account of this classic scenery, and the points that take a more prominent part in " The 

 Lady of the Lake," see "Chambers," " Graham's Sketches," and " Anderson's Guide to the Highlands" 

 a work of great merit 



