HIGHLANDS OF PERTHSHIRE. 23 



During this morning's walk we had the pleasure of seeing 

 Saxifraga aizoides, for the first time during this tour. It ap- 

 peared in the bottoms and on the banks of all the little rills and 

 brooklets that flowed downwards from the mountains into the 

 rivers and lochs of the vales. This was an additional new fea- 

 ture to the roadside scenery. Geranium sylvaticum had been 

 our constant attendant in all our walks about Callander, and the 

 Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris, ornamented every wayside. 

 On the borders of Loch Lubnaig we were greeted by this other 

 beauty, the Yellow Saxifrage, which cheered us on our way, as 

 an earnest of the rich prizes that awaited us on reaching the 

 culminating point of our journey. 



The country here is solely pastoral and woodland. The moun- 

 tain of Ben Ledi is far too steep for cultivation ; and its base is 

 but very thinly furnished with trees. On the Benvoirlich side 

 there is much natural and plantation wood, both in the Pass of 

 Leny and further on, on the brows overhanging the upper end 

 of the lake. And the green mountain-side, sloping upwards 

 from the road on the right, is quite open, and supplies pasturage 

 to immense herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. Numerous rills 

 and streams descend, crossing the road, and flow into the lake, 



It was past six o'clock by the cottage chronometers, ere the poor 

 village or hamlet of Strathire was reached ; and our alimentary 

 organs reminded us that we had not yet breakfasted. There are 

 two public-houses here ; but neither of them had a sufficiently 

 inviting aspect to induce us to break our fast in them. So we 

 walked on, two or three miles further, to the King's House, on 

 the Braes of Balquhidder, and there rested and refreshed. This 

 inn, which has been lately rebuilt and enlarged, was erected ori- 

 ginally by General Wade. And as the military, or the King's 

 servants, were the sole travellers needing refreshment on that 

 road, it got the appropriate name of the King's House, because 

 built at his expense and for the accommodation of his servants. 



This inn is situated near the summit of the Pass, a couple of 

 miles from the church of Balquhidder, where, in the church- 

 yard, the celebrated Rob Roy is buried. It is ten miles from 

 Callander, four from Lochearn Head, and twelve from Killin. 

 The views from this elevated station are much admired. Close 

 at hand are the green Braes of Balquhidder, so celebrated in 

 Scottish song, and not less deserving of celebrity tor their excellent 



