14 
island.” <A peculiar swell of the loch after a storm accounts for 
the first; and the second is said to be a species of viper which 
swims from island to island; while the third is supposed to have 
been an ancient crannoge, or floating habitation, or island, which 
has long ago grounded, or entirely disappeared. From its large 
size and beautiful scenery, Loch Lomond is styled the ‘‘ Queen of 
Scottish Lakes,” and well deserves the title. 
From the deck of the steamer, as she left Inversnaid, a good 
view of the beautiful waterfall formed by the Arklet was seen on 
the left. Tarbert, the landing-place for Loch Long, lay on the 
right, and on the opposite side, but about a mile further on, was 
observed Rob Roy's cave, immediately under Ben Lomond. 
Rowardennan is the landing-place for those who wish to climb 
the lofty Ben. Further down on the right, amid rich woodlands, 
Luss was seen; and opposite it Inch-Lonaig—the Island of Yew 
Trees—which for some generations past has been used as a deer 
park by the Colquhouns of Luss, and still contains many very 
fine old yews. It is said that the trees were first planted by 
Robert the Bruce, for the purpose of supplying bows for his 
archers. Keeping the islands on the right, Balmaha Pier was 
goon reached, where the party disembarked. On a promontory 
due south of the pier Ross Priory was pointed out, where Sir 
Walter Scott wrote “ Rob Roy.” 
Previous to landing at Balmaha, the company were photo- 
graphed in a group on the deck of the steamer. Afterwards, 
forming up on the deck, they sang ‘“‘Auld Lang Syne,” and then 
said good-bye to Professor Schwappach, who, with Professor 
Bayley Balfour, set out by the West Highland Railway for a 
trip in the Highlands. 
BALMAHA. 
A visit was paid, by means of row-boats from Balmaha, to 
“the Isle of Nuns, or of Old Women ”—Inch-Cailliach,—of 
which Scott says: “A most beautiful island... . The church 
belonging to the former nunnery was long used as a place of 
worship for the parish of Buchanan, but scarce any vestiges of 
it now remains.” The old burying-ground around the church 
was for centuries the last resting-place of the Clan Alpine, as 
well as of numerous Buchanans, Grahams, and other local septs. 
