LEGENDS OF PKINCE CHAELES. 107 



chattan; but as the sheep were only turned off in 1836, 

 there are not many deer in it as yet ; still, as the Mar- 

 quis of Breadalbane's forest is not far distant, they will, 

 no doubt, accumulate rapidly under such excellent ma- 

 nagement. 



" This forest lies on the north-west side of Loch Erroch, 

 and contains an area of from thirty to thirty-five square 

 miles : the position is in a south-west direction ; the boun- 

 dary on that side is the small river Alder ; on the north- 

 west it is limited by Beallach-na-dhu (the dark vale), and 

 the river Coolroth (which signifies a narrow and rapid 

 stream) ; and on the east it is bounded by Loch Pallag 

 and the hill of Farrow. 



" The mountains are lofty, probably near 4000 feet 

 above the level of the sea, and many of them of pictu- 

 resque character and majestic appearance. I must not 

 omit, that there is a lake of two miles in circumference, 

 at an elevation of at least 2500 feet, called Loch Beal- 

 lach-a-Bhea (the Loch of the Birchen Gap). So much for 

 the boundaries, extent, and character of this celebrated 

 domain. 



" The legends connected with this forest are numerous 

 and interesting. In Benalder is the cave which gave 

 shelter to Prince Charles Stuart for about three months 

 after he made his escape from the Islands, where he so 

 imprudently entangled himself. When he came to Ben- 

 alder he was in a most deplorable state covered with 

 rags and vermin ; but there he was treated with kindness 

 and hospitality; and during the period of his stay he 

 made considerable progress in the Gaelic language. Cluny 

 Macpherson and Lochiel, faithful, high-minded, and loyal, 



