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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 13, No. 367, April 25, 1829 by Various
page 21 of 50 (42%)
summer-house, is placed on the top of a perpendicular cliff, 40 feet above
the bottom of the fall, and is so constructed, that the stranger, in
approaching the cascade, is entirely ignorant of his vicinity to it. Upon
entering the building is seen a painting, representing Ossian playing on
his harp, and singing to a group of females; beside him is his hunting
spear, bow and quiver, and his dog Bran. This picture suddenly disappears,
and the whole cataract foams at once before you, reflected in several
mirrors, and roaring with the noise of thunder. A spectacle more striking
it is hardly possible to conceive. The stream is compressed within a small
space, and at the bottom of the fall has hollowed out a deep abyss, in
which its waters are driven round with great velocity. A little below the
hall is a simple arch thrown across the chasm of the rocks, and hence there
is a good view of the fall.

Half a mile further up the Bran is Ossian's Cave, part of which has been
artificially made; and about a mile higher is the Rumbling Bridge, thrown
across a chasm of granite about 15 feet wide. The river for several hundred
feet above the arch is crowded with massive fragments of rock, over which
it foams and roars; and, approaching the bridge, precipitates itself with
great fury through the chasm, making a fall of nearly 50 feet.

Returning to Ossian's Hall, the tourist may continue his excursion along
the face of Craig Vinean, the summit of which commands one of the finest
prospects in this vicinity. Hence he may form some idea of the extent to
which the Duke of Atholl has carried his system of planting. His Grace is
said to have planted more than thirty millions of trees in the
neighbourhood of Dunkeld.


_Loch Katrine._
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