Among the most remarkable mountains of Perthshire, is Ben Lawers ; it is estimated at 4015 feet, and is indeed one of the highest mountains of Scotland. Next in ele vation is Cairn Gower, part of the ridge of Ben Gloe, and it is estimated at 3700 feet, or thereabouts. Ben Vua lach has not been measured, but it cannot be much less, though inferior to Ben Aulder, in Invernesshire, which assists it in forming the northern extremity of Loch Ericht. Shehallien is about 3400 feet, and is conspicuous as well for its beautiful conoidal outline, as for its having been the place of Dr. Maskelyne's operations for solving the problem of the density of the earth. Ben More, a part of the southern boundary of Glen Dochart, also reaches beyond 3000 feet, as does ,Ben Vorlich, to the south of Loch Earn. Lastly, we may name Ben Ledi, of somewhat less elevation, and Ben Venu, which helps to constitute the exquisite scenery of Loch Cateran.
The northernmost of the Perthshire lakes, is Loch Ericht, about sixteen miles in length, and scarcely any where two miles wide; but the southern half only lies in this county, the remainder belonging to Inverness. It is, in no respect, picturesque or interesting, and is si tuated in a country utterly wild, with scarcely a house or an arable farm near it. It has acquired, however, sonic historical celebrity from a cave on its margin, which formed one of the hiding places of Prince Charles after his defeat.
Loch Rannoch is upwards of ten miles long, extending from cast to west, with very little variety of outline or picturesque beauty. The northern margin, in particular, is rude, and covered in many places with scattered birch of great antiquity. The southern is far more interesting, as it contains many farms, and as it is also the seat of the once extensive fir woods of Rannoch, now much reduced by cutting, but serving still to vary the scenery in such a way, as to make this a very beautiful ride. There is a good wheel road all round the lake.
There are few lakes on so small a scale more beautiful than Loch Tumel. Yet as it lies in an open valley, its beauty is rather constituted by that of the surrounding magnificent scenery, than by its own proper margin. The view from the high grounds at the eastern extre mity is very striking, as are many of those which are obtained on all sides on descending into the valley, while the rich wooded nature of this tract confers on it a character quite distinct from that of any other Scottish lake.
The most extensive lake in this county, is Loch Tay, stretching for fifteen miles, and sometimes reaching to two in breadth. Its sides are, however, straight, the northern in particular, so that it presents little of that in tricacy and beauty of margin which generally constitutes the charm of lake scenery. Exceptions must he made,
however, in favour of the southern shore, where an artist will discover numerous points whence exquisite pictures may be obtained. But the road on this side of the lake being abandoned, on account of the superior goodness of the other, this scenery is quite unknown. The scenery at Killin is, however, as picturesque as it is singular in its kind ; nor is there any single spot of the same dimen sions in Scotland, where an artist may equally occupy himself with scenes that seem as inexhaustible as they are unlike to every thing else. At the eastern extremity of the lake, the grounds of Taymouth are magnificent, with out being picturesque; rich in wood, but disposed in an artificial English manner, ill harmonizing with the sur rounding grandeur and rudeness, or with the general cha racter of the country.
Three lakes occur in that extraordinary and desert tract, called the Moor of Rannoch, viz. Loch Dhu, Loch Bea, and Loch Lydoch ; the latter being at least seven miles in length. If the most absolute solitude, and the absence of any thing like life, can give interest to a spot, these cer tainly possess it in a high degree. Trees might even ren der Loch Lydoch picturesque, since its outline is intricate and rocky, though the surrounding land is low and level; but, excepting two or three scattered firs, that have served to continue the evidence of this ancient forest, the whole is one boggy and rocky waste, without variety, extending for about twenty miles towards the entrance of Glenco.
Loch Earn, the immediate source of the Earn, is about six miles in length, and is in many places very pictu resque ; its margin also being in many places woody and cultivated, although but for a short space, as the hills ascend rapidly from the edge of the water. The ancient road afforded some extremely fine pictures, but these are lost on the new one, which is conducted on the north side much nearer to the margin of the lake. Loch Dochart is little worthy of notice, except for the remains of its an cient castle, situated on an island.
Loch Voil, a narrow lake about four miles long, is lit tle known to strangers, as it does not lie in the ordinary route of tourists, but it is not deficient in picturesque beauty. Loch Lubnaig, which is also about four miles in length, is narrow, and in many places picturesque, par ticularly near Ardchullary, where it assumes an uncom mon character from the sudden descent of the skirts of Ben Ledi by which it is bounded.