[ Early-Victorian tour of Scotland. ] Manuscript itinerary of a 'Tour through the western part of the midland Counties of Scotland - good or tolerable carriage roads all the way distance to be travelled in all 480 miles or say 500 -'.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, and wrapped in a leaf carrying the name 'Miss Sandham' (possible recipient?). Neatly and closely written out over the whole four pages. Beneath the heading: 'May be easily made out in three weeks'. Almost all of the first three pages are given over to a description of the eighteen stages of the tour, with the number of miles and observations, beginning and ending at Edinburgh and taking in Stirling, Crieff, Aberfeldy, Killin, Inverary, Dalmally, Oban, Ballachulish, Fort William, Inverness, Blair Atholl, Perth and a few other places. As an example: 'Ballahulish to Fort William | 14 miles | Cross the Ferry - follow the side of Loch Linnhe & Loch Eil to Ft. William where is a good Inn. They say there is a better Inn at Corpach where the Steamer starts through the Caledonian Canal. - Shld. be more convenient at least - see if possible part of Glen Nevis.' The second part of the document, beginning at the end of the third page, begins: 'There is a mail coach from Inverness to Edinburgh in which I wd advise you to travel between Aviemore & Blair Atholl. The rest of this route you had better travel slowly & deliberately in an open Droskey [ i.e. Droshky ]. You cannot take too many cloaks & shawls - the waiters are generally slow & the Landlords for the most part greedy. The Beds as a general rule are clean tho' the sheets are often damp if the chambermaids be not well looked after - you may be always sure of good eggs & good milk. & the tea is better than the coffee -'. The text continues with more information concerning inns and food, before turning to the weather, the 'simple rule' regarding which is 'that if during breakfast the mists rise on the mountain side it will be a fair day, if they fall, a wet one. Put no confidence in Lowland prognostics, even in the landlord respecting the weather [...] In short always suspect the sincerity of a highland Landlord in an inferior Inn in a well frequented road'. The document ends: 'Andersons is the best guide Book - it has a capital map & much curious information - legends &cc.'