10 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



alpine bridge a tree thrown across the chasm ; but this terror, though partly 

 dissipated by the addition of a hand-rail, is still a giddy enterprise ; and when 

 the torrent is full, the scene is one that cannot but awaken something like the 

 " sublimity of fear." 



The plain of Bochastle, through which the river continues its serpentine course, 

 is richly cultivated, finely sheltered with wood, and interspersed with cottages 

 and villas, which afford pleasing evidence of the improved taste and increasing 

 prosperity of the country. On the Dun, the remains of three mounds and 

 ditches point out to the antiquary an interesting field of speculation. On either 

 side of this eminence is a straight, artificial bank of earth, supposed to have been 

 used in the practice of archery. To the westward, rising between the Teith 

 and its mountain tributary the Lubnaig, Benledi takes possession of the scene. 

 This gigantic landmark is upwards of three thousand feet in height ; and in 

 its Celtic name, Benledi, or the " Hill of God," recalls the ancient religious 

 ceremonies observed on its summit. Here, as tradition reports, the people 

 were accustomed to assemble during three successive days, annually, for the 

 worship of Baal, or the Sun. Near the top, an iron ring was discovered 

 towards the close of last century, attached by a staple to the rock, but for what 

 purpose unless for securing the victims remains a question still open for 

 discussion. Near this spot distinct traces of culture are still observable. On 

 the same mountain is a small lake, called Lochan-an-Corp, a name commemo- 

 rative of a melancholy catastrophe. While a funeral party from Glenfinlas 

 were crossing it when frozen over, the ice suddenly gave way, and the whole 

 company perished. It is an incident from which superstition derives fresh 

 evidence in support of her creed. 



Within the memory of the present generation, certain practices used to be 

 observed in this neighbourhood, which would appear to be vestiges of druidical 

 rites. On Bel, or Baal-tain, the 1st of May, it was customary for the boys 

 to meet and cut a circular trench in some verdant spot, and then light a fire 

 in the centre. At this fire, a sort of custard of eggs and milk was dressed, and 

 an oatmeal cake prepared. When the first of these was disposed of. the cake 

 was divided into pieces corresponding with the number of the guests ; and one bit 

 being blackened, the whole were thrown into a cap, from which each individual 

 drew one. He who had the misfortune to fall upon the black piece, was the 

 " victim" to be sacrificed to Baal, in order to propitiate his genial influence for 

 a productive season.* 



On All-Saints' eve, also, numerous bonfires were lighted, and the ashes of each collected into a 

 circular heap, in which a stone was put near the edge for every person in the hamlet ; and the individual 



