16 BOTANICAL TCFUR IN THE 



worse. But our readers may be told that the guide-books are in 

 error when they tell us, that " near the east end of Loch Ach- 

 ray the road (to Loch Katrine) crosses, by the Bridge o' Turk, a 

 stream which issues from the vale of Glenfinlas, a desolate tract 

 of ten miles in extent." But there are two Brigs o' Turk, as there 

 are two Simon Pures in the Play, "A bold Stroke, etc.," and the 

 ancient one, which crosses the river not far from the Brig o' Turk 

 Inn, is the real one. This inn has for its sign a representation of 

 the headmost hunter, and the two well-known lines as a motto, 



" And ere the Brig o' Turk was won, 

 The headmost horseman rode alone." 



And there he is represented, as John Gilpin is before the Bell at 

 Edmonton, while performing his equally celebrated ride to Ware. 

 This road and this bridge, mentioned by the guide, were not when 

 Sir Walter wrote his famous epic, which incited so many admi- 

 rers of picturesque scenery to visit the spot, so romantic natu- 

 rally, and rendered still more interesting as the imaginary scene 

 of the spirit-stirring deeds and descriptions of that fascinating 

 invention, " The Lady of the Lake." The Brig o* Turk, won by 

 the venturous headmost horseman who rode alone, is the old 

 bridge which unites the banks of the stream which issues from 

 Loch Latrine, flows through Loch Achray, and enters the upper 

 end of Loch Vennachar below this ancient bridge. The Bridge 

 of Turk of the guide-books is of course not older than the road 

 to Loch Katrine, and this road was not made for several years 

 after Loch Katrine had attained all its celebrity. Guides are 

 not always to be trusted. But we saw the Old Brig, not its 

 representation at the inn only, and " seeing is believing." 



Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond may be, at little expense of 

 toil and money, both visited in a day. A steam-boat sails from 

 the lower or Trosachs end of Loch Katrine, to the upper end at 

 Stronachlocher, where there is a landing-place and an inn ; this 

 voyage is accomplished in about an hour. The steamer waits 

 here about a quarter of an hour and then returns. This little 

 trip affords the tourist, from the boat's deck, a very comfortable 

 view of Ellen's Isle, the noble conical elevations of " the bold 

 Cliffs of Benvenue," on the south or left-hand side, when the 

 spectator is looking up towards the upper or western end of the 

 Lake, 



" While on the north, in middle air, 

 Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare," 



