Tarbert.

Islay via
Tarbert

see page 80

good view is to be had of Ardlamont House situated to our right amongst beautiful trees. This mansion house -the seat of the chief of the Clan Lamont has been occupied for a great many years, by Allan Gilmour, Esq. In the distance away to the south, the island of Arran can be seen to advantage, with its loftiest mountain "Goatfell" towering 3000 feet above the sea. This island is twenty miles long from north to south, and ten miles broad from east to west. We are now in Lochfyne, and looking to our left, on a clear day, part of the Ayrshire coast is visible. The steamer is swiftly approaching the Kintyre coast, and the first place noticeable upon it is Skipness.

Wenext approach the natural harbour of East Tarbert, and call at the outside pier, which is half a mile from the village, and outside the harbour. From this there is, all the year round, a daily coach to and from Campbeltown, as also coaches waiting to convey passengers and mails to the head of West Loch Tarbert, (the sail down that Loch is very fine), a distance of fully a mile, from which is a daily swift steamer to and from Islay. This arrangement avoids the circuit of the Mull of Kintyre, and lessens the sea passage considerably. Tarbert, noted for its famous Lochfyne herring, was, not many years ago, little else than a fishing village, but recently a number of nice cottages have been built, and it is now a favourite resort, and is gaining in popularity every summer. From the variety of its picturesque scenery it is of special attraction to artists, and is accordingly much resorted to by them. Overlooking the town is a fine old castle built by Robert the Bruce, and in which he resided in 1326.

After leaving Tarbert, Stonefield House (Colin G. Campbell, Esq.,) is seen before and after passing Barmore Island on our left; the situation of this house is equal to any we have yet noticed, being finely wooded for miles around. While we are steaming along the next four or five miles, and passing, still on the left, the small estate of Erins, and Inverneil, a good view may be had of the upper reach of Lochfyne, as far as Minard in the direction of Inveraray.

In a crescent-shaped bay before us is Lochgilphead, and as we approach, Kilmory Castle is seen to the right

of it, and Ardrishaig to the left. At Ardrishaig Ardrishaig passengers for Oban and the North, land and proceed without delay to the Canal steamer "LINNET," Those passengers who have got their luggage properly labelled for the pier in the North at which they intend to land, need not trouble about seeing it forwarded, as this is done for them.

The "COLUMBA" returns from Ardrishaig about 1 p.m., on the arrival of the passengers from Oban and the North, and those who have come out for the day's sail have usually a short time on shore. The distance from Glasgow to Ardrishaig and back is about one hundred and eighty miles, and to any who have but one day to spare, it is impossible to find a lovelier trip or a more enjoyable route.

ARDRISHAIG to OBAN and BANAVIE.

THE Crinan Canal, connecting Lochfyne with Loch Crinan, is nine miles long, and was constructed to enable vessels trading between the Clyde and the West Highlands to avoid the circuitous and, formerly considered, dangerous passage round the Mull of Kintyre. It was surveyed, and estimated for by Sir John Rennie the great civil engineer, and a Company, under the presidency of the Duke of Argyll, undertook its construction in the year 1793.

Unforeseen obstacles led to delay and financial embarrassment, and prevented the full execution of the works. It was however opened in an incomplete state in July, 1801. In 1805, and 1811, accidents occured to the embankments and reservoirs, and recourse had to be made to the Government for grants of money. These were finally expended in 1817 under the direction of Telford the celebrated engineer, and shortly afterwards the management of the Canal was taken over by the Caledonian Canal Commissioners, with whom it still remains. It has fifteen locks (the "LINNET" passes through nine only), and the summit level is supplied with water from eight lochs, situated about eight hund

red feet high among the Knapdale Hills on the left
bank. The last serious accident occured on the evening
of the 2nd February, 1859, when the embankments of
several of these lochs gave way, and the descending flood,
rushing down the ravine through which the principal
feeder flows and carrying in its course immense quantities
of earth and boulders, filled the valley with
many thous-
and tons of debris. Fortunately, on reaching the summit
level, the flood divided, part flowing east and part west;
and but for this circumstance, the injury to property—
(there was no loss of life)—would have been more exten-
sive than it was. The repairing of the damage caused
by this accident cost about £16,000, and the Canal was
re-opened on 1st May, 1860. For many years the swift
passenger traffic was successfully conducted by means of
a track-boat drawn by horses, ridden by postilions in
brilliant scarlet uniforms; and our gracious Sovereign
used this mode of conveyance when on her visit to the
Highlands in 1847. In "Leaves from the Journal of
our Life in the Highlands," Her Majesty says:-"The
light on the hills was beautiful as we steamed down
Loch Fyne. At five we reached Lochgilp, and all landed
at Lochgilphead (Ardrishaig). "We and our people
drove through the village to the Crinan Canal, where we
entered a most magnificently decorated barge, drawn by
three horses ridden by postilions in scarlet. We glided
along very smoothly, and the views of the hills-the
range of Cruachan-were very fine indeed." To meet
the requirements of an ever-increasing traffic, some years
ago, the present elegant saloon steamer "LINNET" was
built, which is capable of comfortably accomodating
double the number of passengers that the old track-boat
could.

The "LINNET" starts at 1 P.M. On the opposite shore of Lochgilp may be seen Kilmory Castle (Sir John P. Campbell, Orde Bart.), already noticed. Five minutes after leaving we pass, on the left, Glendarroch Distillery, situated at the foot of a nicely-wooded glen, and higher up the hill there is a pretty waterfall with a leap of fully one hundred feet. In a few minutes more we see on the right the town of Lochgilphead (over two thousand inhabitants), with the Argyll and Bute Com

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