CLANS. PASS OF LENT. BALQUIDDAR. 15 



The clans who inhabit the romantic regions in the neighbourhood of Loch- 

 Catrine, were, even until a late period, much addicted to predatory excursions 

 upon their Lowland neighbours. Those districts, situated beyond the Grampian 

 range, were rendered almost inaccessible by strong barriers of rocks, and 

 mountains, and lakes ; and, although a border country, almost totally sequestered 

 from the world, and insulated with respect to society. Under such times and 

 circumstances, it was accounted not only lawful, but honourable, among hostile 

 tribes, to wage predatory warfare with one another ; and the habits of a rude 

 age were, no doubt, strengthened in this district by the circumstances mentioned, 

 and the fact that they bordered upon a country, the inhabitants of which, 

 though richer, were less warlike than they, and widely different in language and 

 manners.* In those days might was right, and the watchword 



"... They shall take who have the power, 

 And those may keep who can." 



But, in order that a connexion between the text and the subjects chosen for 

 illustration may be preserved, our remaining notice of this district can only be 

 brief and desultory. Much beautiful scenery and much interesting history 

 must, consequently, be omitted ; but, while we select the more prominent fea- 

 tures in each department, we shall best enable the lover of Highland scenery to 

 form a correct notion of its character. The choice, however where all 

 is beautiful, or picturesque, or sublime is attended with no little difficulty ; 

 particularly where the artist, as in the drawings before us, has made it his 

 study to combine an air of striking novelty with a perfect resemblance to 

 nature. 



The usual conclusion to a survey of the Trosaehs is to cross over the hills 

 between Loch-Catrine and Loch-Lomond, embark on the latter, and then return 

 southward by Glasgow and the Clyde ; but reserving these as the subject of 

 a future portion of the tour, we continue our progress towards the valley of the 

 Tay. On leaving Callender, the road enters the pass of Lcni, and skirts the 

 left bank of Loch-Lubnaig, a narrow sheet of water about five miles in length. 

 The scenery is bold and rugged ; the hills approach the water so closely as to 

 give the space it occupies the appearance of a deep ravine. On the east side 

 is the farm-house of Ardhullary, in which James Bruce secluded himself while 

 engaged in composing his travels in Abyssinia. 



Passing onward, the Braes of Balquiddar a theme well known in Scottish 

 song rise in gentle acclivities on the left. The valley is chiefly occupied by 



See Notes to the " Lady of the Lake;" " Statistical Account." 



