Series 6 > Travels in Scotland 1788-1881

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Travels in Scotland, 1788—1881 :A Selectionfrom Contemporary Tourist Journals
gigantic group of Trossachs. The sudden descent & burst upon Brackland Bridge
is somewhat appalling and to a timid or nervous traveller the passage across from
its peculiar construction and antiquity is a very dangerous experiment when you
consider that a trifling diversion either to the right or left would hurl you into the
deep and boiling chasm which lies beneath from a height of at least 80 feet. The
bridge consists of a Few old Planks rudely put together of a breadth of about 3
yards and having for its base on either side a bold and rugged rock its breadth
may be considered about 2 feet and a half or 3 feet without battlements or
supports of any kind and in addition to these formidable disadvantages it is from
its situation generally covered with a wet and slimy moisture which renders it
extremely slippery. We all contrived to pass over and entered into the wood on
the opposite side and on turning to the right you are conducted by a path to the
Promontory from which you have a most delicious view of this grand fall of
water. Nothing could exceed our wonder and admiration at this truly awful sight
which nothing but some horrible convulsion of nature could have created. The
fall commences its course between two huge towering rocks covered from their
base to their summit with the most luxuriant brush wood except here and there
where thick patches of the Purple Heather give additional beauty and variety to
the scene and rolling with considerable impetuosity against every piece of rock
which attempts to check its progress it throws up the dark and foaming spray
and agitates the rugged bed of water for a considerable distance. While we were
meditating an attempt to scramble down to the waters edge my Brother and
myself received orders to form the advanced guard and to proceed by a forced
march to Lochearnhead 14 miles. This was no pleasant intelligence to keen
travellers who were exploring new beauties in this sequestered spot and who had
already walked on that morning 12 miles to breakfast. We quitted Callander and
proceed in quick time as it was now 3 o’clock along the road. When we had
walked for about 4 miles we heard a soaring rumbling noise very much like that
of a waterfall and being determined to satisfy our curiosity we descended the
precipice until an opening of the wood presented us with a view of a very
pleasing cascade the name however we were unable to learn and soon came to the
margin of Loch Lubnaig which extends about 3 miles. The country in this
neighbourhood is wild and dreary and the mountains over which you pass are
bare and naked. After climbing up one of very steep ascent we were gratified by
the sight of the romantic village of Lochearn Head situated on the verge of the
Lake under the brow of a hill and the confined cultivated spots about it when
contrasted with the cold bleak and mountainous part of this stage was pleasing
and agreeable. When within a few yards of our place of destination we were
struck with the rumbling noise of our vehicle which just came up in time to