542 Route 69. SKYE. Excursions
softened by its fine woods (pine, oak, birch, mountain-ash, hazel); the
view of Loch Melfort from a lofty part of the road, about 2 M. beyond
(16 M.) Kilmelfort ("Cuilfail Hotel) and the Pass of Brander, a narrow and
gloomy ravine (traversed by railway). — Those who have already traversed
the Pass of Brander by railway (p. 543) may omit this route, but should
take the coach to Kilmelfort and back (fare about 10s.), walking to the
above-mentioned point of view. A coach plies daily from Kilmelfort to
Lochgilphead (p. 539; 23 M., fare 6s.).
4. -Circular Tour by Glen Etive, Loch Etive, and Glencoe to
Ballachulish, and back by Loch Linnhe (10-12 hrs.; 1st cl. and cabin
19s. 6d.). Railway to (9 M.) Ach-na-Cloich; steamer up Loch Etive to (15 M.)
Lochetive Head; coach by Glen Etive and Glencoe to (30 M.) Ballachulish;
steamer to (26 M.) Oban. This tour, which embraces some of the deepest
recesses and grandest scenery in the Highlands, may be made in either
direction, and passengers have the option of returning from Ballachulish
by railway. Refreshments at Kinghouse Inn, about halfway between
Lochetive Head and Ballachulish; dinner is provided on the steamer from
Ballachulish to Oban.
6. Circular Toor by Mallaig and Fort William (1-2 days; cabin and
1st cl. 22s. 6d.). Steamer on Tues., Thurs., & Sal. to (5-7V» hrs.) Mallaig
(p. 550); train to Fort William (p. 544); and steamer thence by Caledonian
Canal back to Oban. On alternate days this tour is made in the reverse
direction. On Tues. and Sat. a steamer sails from Mallaig to Loch Scavaig
(see below), allowing time for a visit to Loch Coruisk (see below).
6. From Oban to Callander. The direct route is by railway (71 M.,
in 21/3-3 hrs.; fares lis. 10d., 5s. 10d., return 18s., 9s.; see p. 513). A pleasant
round may be made by reversing the above tour' No. 4 to Ach-na-Cloich
and proceeding thence by railway to Callander (p. 535) in 2V2 hrs., via
Crianlarich and Killin (p. 543). Coach from Killin to Aberfeldy, see p. 5G0.
7. From Oban to Loch Lomond. Either via Callander as above, or
by railway (via Dalmally, p. 543; fares 7s., 3s. 5'/2d.) to Crianlarich, and
thence by coach, in 3 hrs., or by railway (R. 71) to Ardlui (comp. p. 534).
8. ""From Oban to the Isle of Skye ('2-3 days). Swift steamers ply
on Tues., Thurs., and Sat. via Tobermory (p. 541), Eigg, Mallaig (change
for Loch Scavaig, see above), Armadale, Isle Ornsay, Glenelg, Balmacara,
Kyle of Lochalsh, and Kyle Akin to Broadford and (9 hrs.; fare 20s.) Portree.
Thence they proceed to (2y4 hrs. more) Gairloch (p. 546), returning on
Mon., Wed., and Frid. by the same route. The 'Claymore' and 'Clans¬
man' sail from Oban on Tues. and Frid. morning (comp. p. 537). — The
best plan is to take the Tues. or Sat. steamer from Mallaig to Loch
Scavaig (see below), having telegraphed the day before to the landlord
of the Sligachan Hotel to send a guide (and ponies if required; advisable
for ladies) to meet the steamer. Those who land at Broadford ("Hotel)
should walk or drive (one-horse carr. 5s.) to (6 M.) Torrin, and proceed
thence by boat (with 2 rowers 18s., with 4 rowers 24s.) to the Spar Cave
and "Loch Scavaig, a wild and romantic arm of the sea running deep
into the island. At its inner end, separated from it by a narrow neck of
land, is "Loch Coruisk, offering a scene of solitary and savage grandeur,
perhaps not elsewhere paralleled in the kingdom. From Loch Coruisk we
may walk to the N. across Drumhain (800 ft.) and through "Glen Sligachan
to the (7-8 M.) "Sligachan Hotel (R. 4s., B. 2s. 6d., D. 4s.), but this is a
rough walk of 3 hrs.; not to be attempted after dusk without a guide. Or
we may cross Loch Scavaig by boat to Camasunary (better than by the
walking route, on which a steady head is necessary at the point called
the 'Bad Step'), and follow the track through Glen Sligachan the whole
way to the hotel (3 hrs.). To the left rises the graceful Scuir-na-Gillean
('Peak of the Young Men'; 3167 ft.), and to the right is Blaven (3042 ft.),
both summits of the grand "Cuchullin Hills (pron. 'Coolin'), the iinpres-
siveness of which is heightened by the dark colour of their rocks. From
tbe Sligachan Hotel we may ascend the former in 3 hrs.; the route is steep
and requires a steady head, but a guide (10-12s.) is unnecessary except in
misty weather. Ladies should not attempt it, unless prepared for consider¬
able fatigue. The "View from the top is very fine. — From Sligachan a
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