Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

342 EXCURSIONS FROM CASTIiETON OF BRAEMAR.
same authority. The wells at the top were found to be 4068
feet above the sea level. Dr. Keith, who made the ascent in
the middle of July, found the stream at its commencement
passing under an arch of snow.
Cairngorm, the summit of which is about four miles due
north of that of Ben-muich-dhui, may be reached with hardly
any descent from Ben-muich-dhui, along the ridge skirting the
precipice-guarded Loch A’an. The tourist must beware of
being put off with a secondary Cairngorm, nearer Castleton,
called Cairngorm of Derry.
Castleton to Lochnagar—12 miles.
There is a carriage drive five miles of the way; the rest must be walked, or done by
ponies, which can go to the very top. The journey occupies about eight hours.
A guide is necessary. Pony, 5s.; guide, 5s.
The usual way is to go by the north side of the Cluny |
water, up Glen Callater, turning off to the left at the keeper’s
house at Loch Callater, by a very steep path. After this the
path is successively over steep ridges or deep valleys. And
as it is often scarcely perceptible for miles, and also very
steep and stony, it is by no means advisable to undertake
the journey, unless the weather be clear and favourable. There
is no house of refreshment on the way. A small lake at the
base of a steep crag not far from Lochnagar, may be mistaken
for it; it is necessary, therefore, to bear in mind that Loch-
nagar is not seen until the very summit is reached. The
summit has two cairns upon it, the one within sight of the other.
Lochnagar is a black lake of small dimensions, which sleeps,
as it were, at the foot of a wide corrie or cleft in the summit of
the mountain, consisting of a very lofty range of precipitous
rocks. These rocks run sheer down to the edge of the water, -
and rise above the spectator, often piled stone above stone in
the most regular manner. Beyond the lake the ground slopes
upwards, covered with whitish stones, of most barren appear¬
ance. Beyond that again, mountains rise above mountains,
and here and there pleasant glimpses are obtained of wooded
and well cultivated parts of country. The effect of the crags,
loch, and surrounding scenery is very imposing, and some-
what resembles parts of the wonderful scenery of Saxon Swit-
zerland in Germany.