Loch Earn

The country round Loch Earn, with Loch Tay and the neighboring Trossachs, has been described and illustrated by innumerable writers and painters. Accessible by rail or as part of a circular tour from Perth, or Stirling, beautiful Loch Earn is seven miles long and averages half a mile in breadth. On both sides are hills and mountains, prominent among which is Ben Vorlich seen here. This noble peak, 3,224 feet high, lies to the south of the Loch, where it stands like a sentinel before the distant landscape of the Lowlands.

Cullipool, Luing Island

To the south of Sell (see No. 11 of this series) is Luing Island. These two islands with Easdale, Torsay and Shuna, all close together, are known as the Slate Isles. The village of Cullipool, seen here, is noted for its extensive slate quarries, and also for its great lobster pond. This storage pond has been made with granite dams and is capable of holding over 100,000 lobsters. Hither are brought lobster catches from all parts of the Hebrides.

North Ballachulish

Midway along the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe is Loch Leven, a long narrow gulf presenting at its farthest extremity a succession of grand and romantic landscapes (see also No. 6 of this series). At its mouth is Ballachulish, a favorite anchorage for yachts. Here there is a ferry across the mouth of the Loch, but the tourist may prefer to do the extra 20 miles by the road round the Loch for the sake of the series of views.

In Benderloch

Northward out of Oban lies a typical Highland region of alternate loveliness and wild grandeur, easily reached by the railway from Oban to Ballachulish (see No. 35 of this series). This is the district of Benderloch, rich with legends of Fingal and Ossian, the King and the Bard of early Gael tradition, in it is Loch Creran on whose low islets white sea-swallows (terns) make their nests and seals often bask. At the head of the loch is Glen Creran seen here.

A Highland Herd

Highland cattle lend a picturesque ness to any scene however bleak. They are very hardy and may be left out all winter. They wander over the moors and hills and in the more remote parts of Scotland the motorist is often brought to a standstill by a whole herd standing in the narrow roadway, unwilling to move and studying him with bovine curiosity. The look fierce, but in reality are gentle beasts.

Ben Loyal

Ben Loyal, here seen from Strath Ribigill in Sutherland, is 2,504 feet high. Overhanging the wooded shores of Loch Loyal between Altnaharra and Tongue, its curiously shaped granite peaks dominate the countryside for many miles. The Loch, lying to the east of the Ben, contains splendid trout, and numerous wild fowl make their home on the islands. A mail bus runs between Larig and Tongue.

On an Ardgour Croft

The Ardgour district of Argyllshire has recently been made more accessible by the running of a ferry which can carry cars from Corran, across Loch Linnhe to the Ardgour Hotel. In addition to the cultivated parts there is a region of mountains and lochs, dark glens and desolate moors, hitherto only superficially explored by visitors who traveled by water, it is a grand district for those who desire to get away from the madding crowd. (See also No. 31 of this series).

Breadalbane

The ascent of Ben Lawers may be conveniently combined with a boat trip down Loch Tay from Killin (see No. 4 of this series). From Lawers, the second pier from Killin, about midway down the Loch, the summit (3,984 feet) can be readily reached. The ascent is rewarded by magnificent views, including to the west, the mountain panorama of Breadalbane, seen in this picture. The ascent of Ben Lawers, though long, is comparatively gentle, only the last few hundred feet being really steep.