ABERFOYLE, Perthshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"ABERFOYLE, a parish in the district of West Perth, in the county of Perth, Scotland, 15 miles N.W. of Stirling. It is situated in a valley, which is considered one of the loveliest and most picturesque in Scotland, 11 miles in length, and about 5 in breadth, forming a pass between the Highlands and Lowlands. The most striking feature of the scenery is the series of lakes and streams which water the valley. At its head is Loch Ard, and beyond this lake is seen the noble form of Ben Lomond. The other lakes in the series are Loch Chen and Loch Dhu, all of which abound with trout and pike. Near the Clachan, the two sources of the Forth unite, which here bears the name of Avon-dhu, or the black river, from the dark colour of its waters. The river Foyle also falls into it here, whence is taken the name of the parish. The scenery is wild and beautiful at the point where the Duchray joins the Forth. The rocks are principally granite, but there is also limestone, marble, and slate. Near the lakes the soil is mostly fertile; on many of the hills there are sheepwalks, and others are covered with forests of oak. The botanist finds some rare plants in this district. The scenery of this parish, which confines on Loch Katrine, has been immortalised by Sir Walter Scott, in his adventures of "Rob Roy," and his poem of the "Lady of the Lake." The Duke of Montrose is chief heritor, and the patron of the living, which is included in the presbytery of Dunblane, value £158."

"BEN CHOCHAN, a mountain in the parish of Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland, 3,000 feet in height."

"BEN VENUE, a mountain in the parish of Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland, to the S. of Loch Katrine."

Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003