Excursion by Steamer on Loch Maree.
The steamer on Loch Maree affords a means of viewing the beauties of this queen of Highland lochs in a thorough and luxurious way.
The route from the Gairloch Hotel past Loch Tollie to the junction with the Tollie road is described in [chap. vi. of this Part]. Proceeding down the estate road past Tollie farm, the tourist will be delighted with the views of Loch Maree and Beinn Aridh Charr, and will soon arrive at Tollie pier in the north-western corner of the loch, where trees and rocks mingle in lovely confusion beneath rugged grey cliffs.
LOCH MAREE FROM ARDLAIR.
Loch Maree is a magnificent sheet of water, rather over twelve miles in length. Pennant in his "Tour" ([Appendix B]) says it is eighteen miles long, and this error has been repeated in the New Statistical Account ([Appendix E]), and in most of the guide-books. The Old Statistical Account ([Appendix C]) gave the correct length, which can now be attested by any one who will take the trouble to refer to the Ordnance Survey.
Pennant described the scenery of the loch as "making a most beautiful appearance." Dr Arthur Mitchell, adopting the opinion expressed in Anderson's excellent guide, characterises the scenery as "utterly savage and terrific," though he admits that the islands make the loch "an exquisite picture of calm beauty."
Thus doctors disagree! Without claiming to have anything new to say on the question, I must express the opinion, which I share with many others, that the scenery of Loch Maree is not surpassed in the United Kingdom for both wild and gentle beauty.