breadth eight: its greatest depth, which is between the point of Firkin and Ben-Lomond, is a hundred and twenty fathoms. Besides the fish common to the lochs are Guiniads, called here Poans.

At this time were living at the little village of Luss the following persons, most amazing instances of cotemporary longevity; and perhaps proofs of the uncommon healthiness of the place. These compose the venerable list :

Rev. Mr. James Robertson, Minister, aged....90.
Mrs. Robertson, his wife...

Anne Sharp, their servant,

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86.

94.

86.

94.

90.

I

The country from Luss to the southern extremity of the lake continually improves; the mountains sink gradually into small hills; the land is highly cultivated, well planted, and well inhabited. was struck with rapture at a sight so long new to me it would have been without alloy, had it not been dashed with the uncertainty whether the mountain virtue, hospitality, would flourish with equal vigor in the softer scenes I was on the point of entering on; for in the Highlands every house gave welcome to the traveller.

On the road side near Luss is a quarry of most excellent slates; and near the side of the lake, about a mile or two farther, is á great heap of stones in memory of St. Mac-Kessog, Bishop and Confessor, who suffered martyrdom there A. D. 520, and was buried in Comstraddan church.

The vale between the end of the lake and Dumbarton is unspeak❤ ably beautiful, very fertile, and finely watered by the great and rapid river Lewin, the discharge of the lake, which, after a short course, drops into the Firth of Clyde below Dumbarton: there is scarcely a spot on its banks but what is decorated with bleacheries, plantations and villas. Nothing can equal the contrast in this day's journey, between the black barren dreary glens of the morning ride, and the soft scenes of the evening, islands worthy of the retreat of Armida, and which Rinaldo himself would have quitted with a sigh.

Before I take my last leave of the Highlands, it will be proper to observe that every entrance into them is strongly marked by nature.

On the south, the narrow and wooded glen near Dunkeld instant. ly shews the change of country.

On the east, the craggy pass of Bollitir gives a contracted admis. sion into the Grampian hills.

On the north, the mountains near Loch-May appear very near, and form what is properly styled the threshold of the country; and on the west, the narrow road impending over Loch-Lomond forms a most characteristic entrance to this mountainous tract.

But the Erse or Galic language is not confined within these limits; for it is spoken on all sides beyond these mountains. On the eastern coast it begins at Nairn; on the western, extends over all the isles. It ceases in the north of Cathness, the Orkneys, and the Shetland islands; but near Loch Lomond, is heard at Luss, at Buchanan, east of the lake, and at Roseneth, west of it.

The traveller, who has leisure, should ride to the eminence of Millegs, to see the rich prospect between Loch-Lomond and the Clyde. One way is seen part of the magnificent lake, Ben-Lomond and the vast mountains above Glen-Crow. On the other hand appears a fine reach of the Clyde enlivened with shipping, a view of the pretty seats of Roseneth and Ardincapel, and the busy towns of Port-Glasgow and Greenock.

[Pennant's Tour in Scotland.

Loch-Ness. By the Rev. Mr. James Fraser.

LOCH NESS, according to our Highland tradition, took its name from Nisus, an Irish hero, who, with Dornadillo his wife, settled a colony in Stratharig. The promontory on which he had his residence is to this day called Doun Dearnill; and he being the first that ever offered to set out boat or barge upon this lake, it is after him called 'Loch Ness. It is 24 miles in length, and in most parts two in breadth. In many parts of this lake it has been sounded, with more than 500 fathoms of line, but no bottom found. The banks of this lake are high and mountainous, with woods. The lake never freezes, which is imputed to the many great springs and fountains in it: the only fish in it is salmon. This lake discharges itself into a river of the same name, six miles in length, which never freezes, but always smokes with frost. On the north side

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of Loch-Ness stands, on a rock, the famous castle of Urqhart; the great ditch round it was for the most part cut out of the rock, and received water from the lake. This castle consisted of seven great towers, and it is said was built by the Cuminees, or Cumings, but was demolished by King Edward the First of England, leaving only one tower to the east, still remaining. About four miles to the westward of this castle, on the side of Loch-Ness, stands that great mountain Meal-fuor-vouny, of a round shape, and very high, esteemed two miles of perpendicular height from the lake. On the very top of this hill is a lake of cold fresh water, about 30 fathoms in length, and six broad, no course or stream running either to it or from it. The bottom of it cannot be sounded. With 100 fathoms of small line I could find no bottom. It is always equally full, and never freezes.

There is, due west, from the end of the river Ness, an arm of the sea, called Beuly Frith, six miles in length and two in breadth. The bottom seems to have once been firm land, for near the middle of it are found long oak trees, with their roots entire, some above 60 feet in length, lying covered with the sand, which doubtless have grown there; there are also three great cairns or heaps of stones in this lake, at considerable distance from each other; one of a huge size, in the middle of the Frith, is accessible at low water, and appears to have been a burial place, by the urns which are sometimes discovered. As the sea encroaches and wears the banks upward, there are found long oaken beams of leng, some of them 8, 12, or 14 feet under ground. I saw one of them 14 feet long, that had the mark of the axe on it, with several augre bores in it. The river Beuly, which falls into this arm of the sea, near Lovat, has sunk so low that oaken trees of great length, and 16 feet under ground, are discovered in the banks, with layers of sand, gravel, clay, and earth over them; and we have found some oaks, with coals, and pieces of burnt timber, as low as 16 feet deep.

20 or 30 feet

About 17 miles due west from Beuly, there is a forest called Affaruck, in which there is a mountain called Glenin-tea, and on the north side, under the shade of a great sloping rock, stands a lake of fresh water, called Lochan Wyn, or Green Lake, 18 feet in diameter, about a fathom deep, which is always covered with ice, summer and winter. The next mountain, north of that, is VOL. III.

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