f
a great round tower, with turrets and battlements above. The walls were
covered with ivy.

After viewing the edifice as much as they wished, the party followed
some of the winding walks, which led in various directions over the
grounds; and, though every thing had a finished and beautiful
appearance, still the whole scene wore a very sombre expression.

"It must be a very solitary sort of grandeur, in my opinion," said Mr.
George, "which a man enjoys by living in such a place as this."

"Why, I suppose he can have company if he wishes," said Rollo.

"Yes," said Mr. George. "Perhaps he lives in Edinburgh, or in London, in
the winter, and in the summer he has company here. But then when he has
company at all he must have them all the time, and he must have all the
care and responsibility of entertaining them; and that, I should think,
would be a great burden."

Mr. George and the boys rambled over these grounds about half an hour,
and then they returned to the hotel. They were obliged to walk fast the
last part of the way, for dark, driving clouds began to be seen in the
sky, and just before they reached the hotel some drops of fine rain
began to fall.

"To-morrow is going to be a rainy day, I expect," said Rollo.

"Very likely," said Mr. George.

"And shall you go on over the lake if it is?" asked Rollo.

"I think we shall go as far as to the foot of Ben Lomond," said Mr.
George.

CHAPTER VIII.

ROWERDENNAN INN.

Ben Lomond is one of the highest peaks in Scotland. There are one or two
that are higher, but they are more remote, and consequently less known.
Ben Lomond is the one most visited, and is, accordingly, the one that is
most renowned.

It lies on the east side of Loch Lomond, about half way between the head
of the lake and the outlet. Our party were now at the outlet of the
lake, and were going the next morning towards the head of it. The outlet
of the lake is towards the south. In this southern part, as I believe I
have already said, the lake is about ten miles wide, and its banks are
formed of hills and valleys of fertile land, every where well
cultivated, and presenting charming scenes of verdure and fruitfulness.
The lake, too, in this portion of it, is studded with a great number of
very picturesque and pretty islands.

As you go north, however, the lake, or loch, as the Scotch call it,
contracts in breadth, and the land rises higher and higher, until at
length you see before you