The Difficulties Of Peregrination Were Now At An End.
Mr. Boswell
had the honour of being known to the Duke of Argyle, by whom we
were very kindly entertained at his splendid seat, and supplied
with conveniences for surveying his spacious park and rising
forests.
After two days stay at Inverary we proceeded Southward over
Glencroe, a black and dreary region, now made easily passable by a
military road, which rises from either end of the glen by an
acclivity not dangerously steep, but sufficiently laborious. In
the middle, at the top of the hill, is a seat with this
inscription, 'Rest, and be thankful.' Stones were placed to mark
the distances, which the inhabitants have taken away, resolved,
they said, 'to have no new miles.'
In this rainy season the hills streamed with waterfalls, which,
crossing the way, formed currents on the other side, that ran in
contrary directions as they fell to the north or south of the
summit. Being, by the favour of the Duke, well mounted, I went up
and down the hill with great convenience.
From Glencroe we passed through a pleasant country to the banks of
Loch Lomond, and were received at the house of Sir James Colquhoun,
who is owner of almost all the thirty islands of the Loch, which we
went in a boat next morning to survey. The heaviness of the rain
shortened our voyage, but we landed on one island planted with yew,
and stocked with deer, and on another containing perhaps not more
than half an acre, remarkable for the ruins of an old castle, on
which the osprey builds her annual nest.
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