108 CHARLES CARDALE BABINGTON. [1841 



the Druidical remains there, which are of high interest, but unfortu- 

 nately the packet to Poolewe was to sail the next morning, and 

 therefore we had to give it up. 



Aug. 20. At 5 a.m. we went on board the packet for Poolewe, 

 and were again becalmed upon this usually stormy sea, so that we 

 did not reach that place until between 2 and 3 o'clock the next 

 morning. 



Aug. 21. After breakfast we started by boat up Loch Maree, 

 which is certainly in my opinion, the finest lake that I have seen. 

 On the cliffs above the lake Finus sylvestris is found, and also plenty 

 of Arbutus Uva-ursi. At the head of the lake we again took to our 

 legs, and walked to Auchnanault, a distance of eighteen miles. Near 

 to Loch Maree some of the bare quartz summits of the mountains 

 assumed very curious forms, particularly one very remarkable hill 

 on the south-east of the upper end. At the eastern end of Loch 

 Roshk, near to a cottage belonging to Sir Colin Mackenzie, is a 

 most remarkable series of lofty mounds, almost closing a lateral 

 valley, and presenting the appearance of a gigantic fortification. 

 They are probably the moraine of an ancient glacier, and are com- 

 posed of sand and gravel. The inn at Auchnanault was quite full, 

 most of it being occupied by Sir Colin Mackenzie and his family. 

 He was very polite to us, and invited us to call at his seat of 

 Balmadutty in the Black Isle. Some of us went on in a carriage 

 to Dingwall, where we arrived at 2 a.m. Some others walked to 

 Garve, where there is a good inn, and came to Dingwall the next 

 morning. 



Aug. 22. Drove to Fir Wood near Coul, and hunted for Pijrola 

 uniflora in its old station, but failed in finding it. Saw P. secunda 

 and P. media, Trientalis Europaea, Listera cordata. Passed through 

 Strathpeffer, on our way and return, and were much pleased with 

 the neat appearance of it. It is a watering place. Ben Wyvis has 

 a grand appearance throughout all this district. Here our party 

 broke up, and some of them went immediately towards the south. 



Aug. 23. Dr. Balfour and I walked across the Black Isle by 

 Balmadutty, and Avoch to Fortrea, and so over the ferry to Fort 

 George, where we were most kindly received by Major Fraser in 

 the fort. Saw plenty of Lithospermum maritimum on the shingles 

 near to Fort Rose. 



Aug. 24. Near Campbellton is an old fortification, called now 

 Cromwell's Fort, a corruption of the Gaelic name, as it is an old 

 earth-work, and has nothing whatever to do with Cromwell. Here 

 grows Bianthus deltdides, and in fields near, PMnanthus major {1). 

 We went by Flemington, the house of Major Fraser, and saw near 

 to it Hypochoeris glabra in profusion, and so forward to Cawdor 

 Castle, where we remained with Mr. Stables. The old castle is 

 Ijighly interesting, and is kept up in the original style. The woods 



