62 EXCURSIONS TO LOCH LOMONDSIDE. 



large specimens were found on the main stem. A yew tree near 

 some offices in the same vicinity measured n feet 7^ inches at 

 2 feet 9 inches. 



The church of Buchanan was shortly reached, and from thence 

 to the Pass of Balmaha nothing noteworthy was observed except 

 the bloody-dock (Rumex sanguineus). The ferry was taken at this 

 point to the island of Inchcalliach, on which formerly stood the 

 parish kirk, the island at that time giving its name to the parish 

 now called Buchanan. The ancient burying ground on Inch- 

 calliach is interesting as the place of sepulture of some members 

 of the Clan Gregor, though the visitor will look in vain for 

 any melancholy yews that could have suggested to Scott to find 

 here the wood for the fiery cross — 



"The shaft and limbs were rods of yew, 

 Whose parents in Inch-Calliach wave 

 Their shadows o'er Clan- Alpine's grave." 



Choked with weeds and rank grass, the graveyard now presents 

 a scene of desolation. The island itself, as is well known, is one 

 of the most picturesque of the many romantic isles of Loch 

 Lomond. Approached from Balmaha it has a striking appearance, 

 cliffs of considerable height rising from the edge of the loch, 

 partly clad and surmounted by sombre firs. A broad grass-grown 

 path, which at the time of our visit was fringed with wood 

 hyacinths, leads from the landing place to the opposite extremity 

 of the island, where in place of the cliffs of the east is a de- 

 lightful bay, a veritable silver strand, or white bay, as its Gaelic 

 name signifies. Among the plants gathered on the island were 

 the white corydalis (Corydalis claviculatd), the globe-flower or 

 lucken-gowan (Trollius europceus), the guelder-rose {Viburnum 

 Opulus), and a rare moss, Dicratium Scottianum. One of the 

 stone flies, Capnia nigra, was among the day's entomological 

 captures. Returning to the mainland, the Pass of Balmaha or 

 gateway to the Highlands was entered and the craggy fort 

 ascended, from which, under the favourable conditions of weather 

 obtaining, a delightful panorama of the loch and its surroundings 

 was obtained. 



Alpine Excursions. — Twice during recent years the Society 

 has made excursions to Loch Lomond for the purpose of botan- 

 ising on the Arrochar chain of mountains. On the first occasion 



