Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland

s in this century. At Inverness therefore Cromwell, when he subdued Scotland, stationed a garrison, as at the boundary of the Highlands. The soldiers seem to have incorp

so high and steep, that I think it was once not accessible, but by the help of ladders, or a bridge. Over against it, on another hill, was a f

he civilized them by conquest, and introduced by useful violence the arts of peace. I was tol

nothing. The numbers that go barefoot are still sufficient to shew that shoes may be spared: They are not yet considered as necessaries of life; for tall bo

conveniences of common life. Literature soon after its revival found its way to Scotland, and from the middle of the sixteenth century, almost to the middle of the seventeenth, the politer studies wer

pply them by the grossest means. Till the union made them acquainted with English manners, the culture of their lands was unskilful, and

to be done they will quickly do, and then wonder, like me, why that which was so necessary and so easy was so long delayed. But they must be for ev

ness the Highland manners are common. There is I think a kirk, in which only the Erse language is used.

ndeed have used our post-chaise one day longer, along the military road to Fort Augustus, but we could have hired no horses beyond Inv

lves, by laying aside whatever we could spare; for it is not to be imagined without experience, how in climbing crags, and treading bogs, and winding through narrow and obstructed passages, a little bulk will hinder, and