Gi SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



and great lack of employment, it exhibits at present a scene of afflicting poverty, 

 for which it is difficult to foresee a remedy.* 



A fort was built here during the usurpation of Cromwell, containing barracks 

 for two thousand troops, and named the " Garrison of Inverlochy," from the 

 ancient castle of that name. In the reign of King William it was rebuilt on a 

 smaller scale, and in compliment to the sovereign received its present name, 

 while the village annexed took that of Mary-burgh, in honour of the queen. 

 In 1746, this fort, tinder the gallant conduct of Captain Scott, stood a siege of 

 five weeks against the insurgent army. 



Inverlochy Castle, the ancient fortress just named, is distinguished in native 

 tradition as a residence of the early sovereigns of the country, and where the 

 league between Achaius and Charlemagne was ratified. -j- However doubtful, 

 or even fabulous, the latter circumstance may appear, there is nothing improbable 

 in its having served as a royal residence, at a time when the fittest situation 

 for the king's palace was that which promised the greatest security as a fortress, 

 In this respect the ruins of Inverlochy offer sufficient evidence, by the strength 

 of their position and the capacious area they still occupy, that they were well 

 adapted to afford the kingly recommendations of splendour and security. It 

 consists of a quadrangle, with round towers at the angles, well fortified according 

 to those tactics which did not anticipate the effects of a battering-train. Here, 

 it is said, Banquo, thane of Lochaber, resided in princely state ; an event per- 

 petuated by a pleasant walk still bearing his name. The powerful family of 

 Gumming, or Comyn, already named, also possessed it, and have left their 

 name to the western tower. From the opposite side of the lake from which 

 it takes its name, the Castle, backed by stupendous mountain scenery and 

 the wild and rugged opening into Glen- Nevis, appears to great advantage. J 



Besides the Established Church, Fort William has an Episcopalian and Roman Catholic chapel, a 

 Bible society, excellent schools, and two public libraries each with a judicious selection of books. There 

 is no prison in the parisli the garrison serving as such when required. In the months of June and 

 November, the place is enlivened by two annual fairs, at which considerable business is transacted. 



f The present building constructed, perhaps, on the remains of some more rude and ancient fortress, 

 to which the tradition refers may be ascribed with more probability to the era of the invasion by Edward I. 

 Like the castle of Urquhart, already mentioned, it presents, in the style and quality of its architecture, 

 abundant evidence of having been the work of engineers well practised in the art of fortification ; and 

 if so, the presumption is that it was of foreign construction one of those garrison forts raised by the 

 English monarch to support his ambitious views in the North. Its similarity to the Welsh castles of the 

 same era gives strength to the conjecture ; but it is only by conjecture that the question can be answered. 



J About three miles farther up the banks of the river, situated on the verge of a precipice overhanging 

 the water, which is here confined and interrupted by ledges of rock, are the slight remains of Tor Castle, 

 formerly inhabited by the chiefs of the clan Chattan, who once possessed this country, and in which the 

 "classic" Banquo is said to have also resided. 



