Expedition to Inchrory.
September 30, 1859.
At twenty minutes past eleven we started with Helena and Louise in the sociable, Grant on the box, forLoch Bulig, passing the farms ofBlairglassand ofDall Dounie, and the shooting-lodge ofCorndavon, ten miles distant. Here we found our ponies (mine being “Victoria”), and rode along the edge of the lake, up a beautiful glen by a path winding through the valley, which appeared frequently closed. We then rode along a small river or burn, of which no one knew the name; none of our party having ever been there before. The hills were sprinkled with birch-trees, and there was grass below in the valley; we saw deer. As we approachedInchrory(a shooting-lodge of Lord H. Bentinck’s) the scenery became finer and finer, reminding us ofGlen Tilt, and was most beautiful atInchrory, with the fine broad water of theAvonflowing down from the mountains.
We inquired of the people atInchrorywhether there was any way of getting round over the hills byGairn Shiel, and they said there was; but that the distance was about 11 miles. Neither Grant nor Brown had been that way. However we accepted it at once, and I was delighted to go onà l’improviste, travelling about in these enchanting hills in this solitude, with only our good Highlanders with us, who never make difficulties,but are cheerful, and happy, and merry, and ready to walk, and run, and do anything. So on we went, turning up aboveInchroryby a winding road between hillocks and commanding a glorious view towardsLaganaul. Here, on a little grassy knoll, we lunched in a splendid position.
After our luncheon, and walking a little way, we remounted, and proceeded by the so-called “Brown Cow” (on the other side of which we had driven), over a moor, meeting a shepherd, out of whom Grant could get little information. Soon we came to corn-fields in the valley; passedFavanchéandInchmore, and got on to a good road, on which Brown and Grant “travelled” at awonderfulpace, upwards of five miles an hour without stopping; and the former with that vigorous, light, elastic tread which is quite astonishing. We passedDal-na-Damph Shiel(a shooting-lodge of Sir Charles Forbes); and went along the old “Military Road,” leavingCockbridge, a small straggling “toun,” which is on the road toInverness, to our left, and the oldCastle of Corgarfto our right. We looked over intoDonside. The road was soon left for a mountain one in the hills, above one of the tributary streams of theDon, and was wild and desolate; we passedDal ChouparandDal Vown, and, as we ascended, we sawTornahoish, at a distance to the left. After going along this hill-track, over some poor and tottering bridges, we joined the road by which we had driven toTornahoish. It was fast getting dark, but was very fine. I and the girls got off and walked sharply some little distance. Albert had walked further on, Grant riding his pony meantime. P. Robertson and Kennedy, besides those I have named, carried the basket alternately.
We remounted our ponies, and Brown led mine on atan amazing pace up theGlaschoil Hill, and we finally reachedGairn Shielafter seven, quite in the dark. There, at the small public-house, we found the carriage, and drove off as soon as we could; the ponies were to be given half a feed, and then to come on. We had to drive home very slowly, as the road is not good, and very steep in parts.
A mild night. Home by ten minutes past eight, enchanted with our day. How I wish we could travel about in this way, and seeallthe wild spots in theHighlands! We had gone 35 miles, having ridden 19 and a half! The little girls were in great glee the whole time.