The Lake of Menteith is Scotland’s only major body of water that is called a lake. Situated close to Aberfoyle and the seat of the Earls of Menteith, it features large in the history of the country. In contrast to the rugged grandeur of the highland lochs, it is more pastoral in nature. The following description is taken from the guide to the Lake of Menteith from Buchanan’s Guide to Strathendrick, published by J. & C. Buchanan, Balfron, in 1902.
Map of the Lake of Menteith
The Lake of Menteith is about equally distant (between 3 and 4 miles) from three railway stations, Port of Menteith, Aberfoyle, and Gartmore.
The walk from Port of Menteith Station is exceedingly pleasant. On the right, amid grand old trees, is Cardross House, the seat of Mr. H. D. Erskine a representative of an old and noble family.
Hall-way between the Station and the Lake is a grassy knoll upon the left side of the road called Tamavhoid, which tradition records as the Tyburn of the Port in the days when summary, or Jeddart justice was dispensed by the lord of the manor. The Port must have been desperately wicked in days past, as on the northern side of the lake, facing the “gallus” hill of Tamavhoid, is another such hill, which until recently, bore upon its crest the reputed gibbet tree. Half-a-mile further on the Old Mill Brae is reached, and of the nature of its declivity, cyclists are warned by the legend, near Lochend Farm, “This hill is dangerous.” Then we come to the Goodie Burn. This being the only outlet from the there is usually a considerable flow of water, and trout fishers have had good “takes” from this stream. After passing Inchie Farm, there is near the lake an eminence, where, in the palmy days of the Priory of Inchmahome, was a chapel in which service was held when the lake was too stormy for the parishioners to cross to the island.
Two and a half miles from the station, the south-east corner of the Lake being reached, the road skirts the Lake for about another mile ere the traveler arrives at the Port, which includes the Church and the Hotel.
The Church, erected in 1878, is a neat edifice in the Gothic style, and distinguished from all other churches in the district by having a chime of bells. In the churchyard are to be found the last resting places of the Grahams.
The lake has a circumference of 6 or 7 miles, its dimensions from east to west being about a mile and a half, and from north to south about one mile. The visitor will be impressed by its peaceful appearance, the rugged surroundings so characteristic of Scottish Lochs being absent. The placid waters, wooded banks, and soft pastoral beauty, make this region a fit resting-place amid the tensions of life and toil. Nature here speaks more audibly than the most impassioned eloquence from human lips. Amid such scenes the distracting cares and empty joys of the world are all forgotten; and there is within gratitude, devotion, and the hope that looks beyond.
There are three islands, Inchmahome, Inchtalla, and Inchcuan, the first two being richly wooded, lending additional beauty to the Lake.
Inchmahome (“Isle of Rest”), the largest island, is about 6 acres in extent. There is much about it of historical and antiquarian interest, containing as it does the remains of an extensive and noted Priory, the ruins leaving no doubt as to its original grandeur and importance, and being the whilom residence in her childhood of Mary Queen of Scots.
The Macgregor steam launch
During the season, The Macgregor, a trim little steam launch, accommodating about 40 passengers, and the property of Mr. Macgregor, the enterprising lessee of the hotel, plies upon the Lake for the benefit of tourists and excursionists. It touches at the island of Inchmahome, where “voyagers” may land and meditate among the mouldering cloisters, fallen columns, and Gothic arches of pre-reformation times; repose beneath the shade of the venerable Spanish chestnut trees, whose antlered limbs and indented trunks have weathered the blasts of centuries; or wandering among the overgrown box-wood, the ear may catch “booming down to us through the dark corridors of time,” the pattering of the little feet or the merry voices of Scotland’s unhappy Queen and her Maries.
Inchtalla (“the Hall”), to the west of Inchmahome, contains the ruins of the ancient home of the Earls of Menteith.
Inchcuan (“Isle of Dogs”), the third and smallest island, is near the western shore. This is where the Earls had their dog kennel, and the dogs kept by them were of some repute.
The little steam launch The Macgregor was replaced by motor vessel of the same name in June of 1902.
Motor vessel The Macgregor
The Macgregor.—On June 20th, 1902, there was launched at Greenock, by Mr. Thomas Vandalle, a finely modelled petrol motor launch, built to the order of Mr. John Macgregor, Lake Hotel, Port-Menteith. Her dimensions are as follow:—Length, 42 ft.; breadth, 10 ft.; and depth, 5 ft. 11 in.: has accommodation for 75 first-class passengers, and is fitted with a 14 H.P. petrol motor. The new vessel was named The Macgregor.—“Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering International, Volume 24, January 1903.”
The Macgregor looking as if she could do with some paint
The Macgregor was built of steel and was 15 gross tons, a substantial improvement on her predecessor. I have not found a date when she was removed from the Lake but in Shearer’s guide of 1912, she is not mentioned.