Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

CALEDONIAN CANAL—LAGGAN.
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infinite variety of form and character, to the extreme verge
of the horizon.
Leaving Bannavie in the steamer which plies on the Cale¬
donian Canal,* we pass (on the right hand) the ruinous walls
of Tor Castle, the ancient seat of Cameron of Lochiel, but
which was demolished by Sir Ewen, when he built for himself
a more commodious residence.
Passing the farms of West and East Moy, the steamer,
two miles further, and after passing through two locks at the
mouth of the river Spean, enters Loch Lochy, which is ten
miles in length, by about one in breadth. From this point
there is a fine view, looking back, of Ben Nevis. Near the
southern extremity of the loch, on the west side, there is a bay,
called the bay of Arkaig, at a short distance from which is
Achnacarry, the mansion of Cameron of Lochiel, chief of that
clan, and on the opposite side of the lake, Glenfintaig House
(Belford).
The village of Laggan * is between Loch Lochy and Loch
Oich. The distance between the two lochs is nearly two miles.
Loch Oich is about three and a half miles long by half a mile
broad, and forms the summit level of the Caledonian Canal.
On the road side near Invergarry Castle is a small monument
* The Caledonian Canal was opened in October 1822. The whole distance from
the Atlantic to the German Ocean is sixty and a half miles, of which thirty-seven
and a half are through natural sheets of water, and twenty-three cut as a canal.
The depth of water is 17 feet when the water is at the standard level. The improve¬
ments commenced in 1843, under the direction of Mr. Walker, C.E., were finished
in 1847, and, on the first of May, the line was opened throughout—the total cost of
the works, from their commencement by Mr. Telford in 1803 till May 1847, having
exceeded £1,256,000. The quick passenger steamers which keep up the communi¬
cation between Glasgow and Inverness, ply alternate days from each end during the
summer season.
t There are two places on the Caledonian Canal from which Koss-shire and the
island of Skye can be approached. The first is Laggan Rocks, which the steamer
going north generally reaches at 10.30 a.m. The locks are five miles from Inver¬
garry Inn, so that if luggage have to be conveyed, it would be necessary to arrange
with the innkeeper to have a vehicle waiting; or to leave the luggage in charge with
some one, and walk on to the inn. The route is as follows: 1st, Along banks of
Loch Oich to Invergarry Inn, 5 miles. Invergarry Inn is large and comfortable, and
the innkeeper has the right of fishing in the river Garry. 2d, From Invergarry to
Tomdoun Inn, 10 miles. This is a beautiful road, and the inn at Tomdoun is neat
and comfortable. Sd, Tomdoun to Cluny Inn, 9J miles. 4fA, Cluny Inn to Shiel Inn,
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