96 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



The sheep, black cattle, ponies, &c., in many parts of the 

 county, are not to be surpassed in Britain. The naturalist, 

 whether his tastes incline to botany, ornithology, or any 

 other line of this interesting pursuit, will find ample means 

 of enriching his cabinets ; while I can safely promise the 

 lover of fine and varied scenery a treat that would repay 

 him for a far more difficult and weary journey. 



There are three ways of reaching Inverness from Edin- 

 burgh : by the steamers which ply along the east coast ; by 

 the Highland road, which passes through the centre of the 

 country ; or by Aberdeen the latter is the least interesting 

 road, as it passes through the bleakest and least beautiful 

 part of Scotland. The Edinburgh and Inverness steamer, 

 the " Duke of Kichmond," is comfortably enough arranged, 

 and makes good way through the water, but the number of 

 stoppages at different ports is tiresome to the traveller whose 

 object is to reach the end of his journey. The Highland 

 road has a paucity of public conveyances on it at present, 

 but passes through a fine and characteristic range of country. 

 I have occasionally taken the circuitous route going . from 

 Edinburgh to Glasgow, and thence up the Caledonian Canal 

 to Inverness ; and this is after all, though apparently rather 

 longer, much the most interesting and the least fatiguing 

 manner of reaching Inverness. Not being exposed to rough 

 water, the passengers by these steamboats are able to enjoy 

 the beauties of the whole route ; and they are constant and 

 varied throughout the voyage. Independent of the very 

 great natural beauty of the country through which the canal 

 passes, there is a constant succession of objects of historical 

 and legendary interest : while the captains of the boats are 

 well versed in the history of these localities, and also are 

 most obliging and attentive to all strangers, in pointing out 

 and explaining everything that is worth seeing. The 

 managers and proprietors of these steamers at Glasgow are 

 most ready and obligingly anxioiis to attend to the comfort 

 and amusement of travellers, and to aid them in their move- 

 ments in any direction, in the most easy and economical 

 manner. No complaint (if one is ever necessary), made 

 against any of the servants of the company, for neglect of 

 their duty, &c., will pass unheeded by the proprietors. In 

 fact, the tourist can scarcely be in better hands, or take a 

 trip that will repay him better than that by the Caledonian 

 Canal. 



