Loch Ness, Dim seen, through rising mists and ceaseless show'rs, Still thro' the gap the struggling river toils, And still below the horrid cauldron boils." The road, after leaving the General's Hut, continues along the brink of Loch Ness, which it in a manner overhangs, being cut out of the side of the bank, part of which is considerably above the traveller's head, and part below his feet, dipping towards the water. The great height of the banks indicates the depth of the water in the Loch. The ride from the General's Hut to Inverness along the banks of the Loch, is one of the finest in the kingdom. The view of the water for miles, overhung on the sides with high and precipitous banks, wooded to the top with birch, ash, oak, hazel, rowan, and other woods peculiar to Highland scenery, give the banks of Loch Ness something very striking and peculiar, in a country otherwise full of barrenness and sterility. In a summer day, when the sun is in full splendour, and the expanse of water open to the eye, with the woody banks of the lake reflected from the glassy surface below, the fragrance of the breeze mixing. with wood of various foliage,-the woodland songsters infusing as it were their song into the breeze,-is a scene not easy to be described. At the east end of the Loch the Canal begins. The massy flood-gates for regulating the water flowing out of the lake, have a fine effect. The overflow of water of the Loch forms the river Ness, which winds gently down the valley until it comes to the end of its course at the town of Inverness, described at the end of the journey from Blair, through Badenoch, &c. GLASGOW TO THE TROSACHS, BY DRYMEN, BUCHANAN, &c. AFTER passing several elegant country-seats in the environs of Glasgow, we cross the Kelvin by the bridge of Garscube, about five miles from the city, having on the left the seat of Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. beautifully situated on the banks of the river, and surrounded with fine plantations. Advancing northward, we pass Balvey and Mains, the first the seat of Henry Glassford, Esq. the last the property of Douglas, Esq. About half a mile on the south of Altmarraytoll, on the left, near the road, are some curious specimens of basaltic rock, lying in small and elegant columns, presenting an appearance similar to the side of a honey-comb. After having crossed the Stockie Muirs, the dreariness of which is considerably relieved at the summit Croy-Drymen. by a view of Loch Lomond, we pass Croy, situated in the vale of Blane, having on the right its romantic glen, with its well wooded environs-the stream of Dowalt, tumbling in an unbroken sheet over a rock of at least 50 feet high, and murmuring along amidst overshadowing trees,-all which deserve the attention of the traveller of taste. The beautiful valley of Blane is seen stretching to the right, covered with thriving plantations. The vale of Endric, towards the left, is ornamented with many elegant seats; here is one of the finest specimens of basalt that is to be found in the interior of the island, consisting of a colonade of pillars, of about 70 in number, standing perpendicular, in height about 50 feet; they are honey-combed, with the appearance of having undergone fusion. In the vale of Blane, near the village of Killearn, at a farm called Moss, Buchanan, the poet and historjan, was born. A part of the cottage in which he first saw the light is still preserved, with a laudable veneration, by Mr Finlay, the proprietor;-several trees remain, said to have been planted by Buchanan when a boy. From Croy, we proceed to the village of Drymen, where some refreshments may be had for a passing traveller ;-he had better, at least, refresh his horses, before he ascends the long and dreary hill above the village. Should the tourist take his departure from Dumbar ton, it will be proper to describe that route before going farther. Levenside-Bonhill-Buchanan House. FROM DUMBARTON TO KILMARONOCK AND DRYMEN.. Advancing by the road that winds along the Leven, the seat of John Campbell, Esq. of Stonefield, called Levenside, is seen on the left, in the midst of an extensive lawn, surrounded by wood. In describing the tour to Inverary, we have noticed the clear and equable stream of that beautiful river, the Leven ;-the busy scenes of active industry which enliven its banks, and the many elegant mansions that adorn the vicinity, cannot fail to interest and delight the stranger. Before turning to the right, on the way to Drymen, we have a fine peep of the southern extremity of Loch Lomond, where the Leven issues from it." The new church of Bonhill, standing on the banks of the river, is a beautiful object; in the churchyard will be seen one of the largest ash-trees in Scot land. At eight miles from Dumbarton, we obtain a fine general view of Loch Lomond-the Highland mountains finely grouped in the back ground; nearer, the luxuriant woods and newly built mansion-house of Ross, from a design of Mr Gillespie, happily adapted to the surrounding scenery, and approximating to the ancient Gothic, combining elegance with utility and comfortable accommodation. In passing the castle, in ruins, at Kilmaronock, is the place most favourable for viewing Buchanan, the seat of his Grace the Duke of Montrose *. It is surrounded by a lawn, and *This nobleman is high in the army and high in the State, being one of the hereditary councillors of his Sovereigr. He is the lineal descendant of the great Marquis of Montrose. Catter Rowardennan. pleasure grounds of more than 1500 acres, decorated with every embellishment which taste and opulence can bestow. It has been remarked, that this domain bears a stronger resemblance to an English park, than any other of the kind in Scotland. Before crossing the Endrick, we leave Catter, and it is worthy of notice, that few places present such a charming evening-scene as Catter;-the mansion, gardens, and pleasure-grounds of Buchanan, its extensive. plain, stretching as far as the surface of the lake,-the lake itself, studded with islands, with the grand amphitheatre of mountains in the distance, gilded by the rays of the departing sun,-form in a fine evening of summer, a scene of tranquil beauty and sublimity, on which every mind, possessed of taste and sensibility, will delight to repose. FROM DRYMEN TO ROWARDENNAN. The traveller, when at Drymen, may wish to go down the bank of Loch Lomond, and cross the ferry at Rowardennan, by which he will have a pleasant journey along the margin of the lake, and have an opportunity of forming a more just estimate of the pleasure grounds of Buchanan, which extend as far as the pass, as also the beautiful islands already described in the journey along the western end. On getting through the pass, a magnificent view of Loch Lomond and its environs opens,-an expanse of water of about ten miles in length, and five in breadth, skirted by luxuriant woods, islands of various extent and form, some inhabited and under cultivation, some elevated |