Ossian Collection > Journal of a tour in Scotland in

THE TROSSACHS 33
and the entrance of the gorge from the Lake,
where the base of the mountain is seen. Trout
and char in the Lake, and pike, which were
introduced a few years ago from a small lake
between this and Loch Lomond. As we
went back we noticed several boys and lads
walking in Loch Venachoir, near the shore,
bare-legged, and with their sleeves tucked
up — we supposed them to be looking for
pebbles. Returned by half-past five to dinner.
When I went into my bedroom, I found
sundry curling-papers, and a woman's filthy
cap on the dressing table.
From what we observed and learnt upon
the road, it is plain that some improvement
is going on, tho' improvement as well as
Spring "comes slowly up this way." Farms
of reasonable extent are gradually swallow-
ing up those which are too small, and thus
introducing more sense of comfort, and
better habitations. We saw the skeletons
of several Highland cabins in decay, where
the ribs rested on the ground. What new
ones had been erected were better built and
of better materials, having stone walls and
slate roofs, like decent English cottages.
There is some tolerable cultivation near
Callander ; a little above that place it becomes