Inversnaid Hotel circa 1872
Mrs Quy
Hattie
Frank |
Earlier this year Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin from Essex stayed with us at the
Loch Tummel Hotel. They brought with them a copy of a fascinating diary
written in 1872 which describes a holiday to Scotland taken by Mr. Baldwin’s
great grandfather Frank, when he was just a boy aged five. He was accompanied
by his mother, Hattie and Hattie’s sister, Mrs. Quy who wrote
the diary. They travelled by steamer from London to Edinburgh and
then by horse and carriage to various tourist destinations. It is particularly
interesting to us as it includes the traditional Trossachs tour
to Callander,
Loch Katrine and Inversnaid - the very same trip that has been
experienced by so many of our Lochs and Glens readers.
Remarkably, together with the diary we have photos of the three taken
about that time and the only known photograph of the Inversnaid Hotel in
the 1870’s.
After reading the description of the dreadful sea trip to Edinburgh one
wonders why they didn’t go by train, but the railway between London
and Scotland had been completed less than 10 years earlier and the Quys,
being a seafaring family, may have instinctively chosen to travel by ship.
Wednesday, 7th August 1872.
Left from London Bridge for Edinburgh by steamer Ostrich about 12.30pm.
Hattie & Frank with myself make up our party. We were soon on friendly
terms with a few of our fellow passengers, who kindly gave up a deal
of information relative to our visit. Before we had gone far a tempest
came on and was rather severe, with heavy rain, got rather wet. About
seven o’clock we turned off rather sick as night came on got worse,
we had a mattress brought on deck for our use but at about two o’clock
am we were helped down to the cabin, but found no room, every berth
and nook was filled with some poor sick individual. A kind sailor put
my mattress on some camp stools close to the engine and cooking room
where I could get in, but of course sleep was out of the question, what
with the noise, scent and seasickness, I was nearly bewildered, and
yet was unable to move from it, from sheer helplessness. The lightning
glared in my face where I lay. Frank lay sick and sleeping at different
intervals at the cabin door. Hattie on the floor near by him, but at
about 3 o’clock he awoke and came miserably over to me perfectly
helpless. I took him to my side & there we lay until about 11 o’clock
the next morning, when we crawled up on deck feeling still very ill.
A gentleman kindly came and helped us to a mattress and rug where I
remained until the next morning until about 10 o’clock. Continued
very very sick so that I could not get to Hattie, she was the same,
and could not get to me, all we could do was to ask those of the gents
who were not ill to go and see how each of us was getting on. One, especially
kind, fetched me an extra rug, my bag with Eau de cologne in it, and
applied some to my face and head to my great comfort, he was indeed
a good Samaritan, otherwise I don’t know what we should have done,
we took nothing for about 42 hours. However we safely arrived at Granton
Pier, Edinburgh about 6 o’clock on Friday morning feeling better
but very weak till the same kind Samaritan helped to get our luggage
up & saw us off in a cab. We were the first to depart, instead of
seeing the beauties of the coast as we had hoped we were too ill to
notice any places. I did make an effort altho’ a sick one to look
at Scarboro. A whole was seen by those on board, who were able to move,
but we were like logs & could nest, however we hope to see more
on out return.
We arrived at the Waverley Temperance Hotel in Princes Street, Edinburgh
at about 5.15, could not obtain a bed at once, but a gent vacated his
bedroom so that we could go in until a larger one was vacated by someone
else. We had some coffee about 8, and about 10 got into our bed until
tea time, had tea, felt refreshed and took a walk, met several of our
fellow sufferers at the breakfast table next day & also met the Samaritan
in the street during the evening walking with his wife, we strolled together
about the town for a time & became quite friendly.
Saturday 10th August.
After enjoying the nights rest got up feeling better, but still the
motion of the boat made us feel queerly at times, & we are told
we shall do so for a few days, we conversed with our neighbours at breakfast,
felt quite at home with the scotch folks – set off after breakfast
to see over the fine old Castle, went to the room where James 1st of
England was born. Saw the regalia & all else worthy of notice, finding
the Guide Book Mrs Wiseman lent us of very great service at the time.
After doing the castle we took tickets for Portobello to a regatta,
heard some fine Highland music by the 93rd Highland Sutherlands, also
a band composed of bagpipes. The highland dress is very pretty indeed.
Lunched in the saloon on the Pier, then got back to the Hotel about
7 to tea after then, our Samaritan friend & his wife (Mr & Mrs
Prophit) called to us to propose our going to church with them on Sunday
morning, and also to help arrange for the proposed visit to the Trossachs
on Monday, they are very kind people, we had no idea of meeting with
such, it is really very pleasing for us, when on the first evening,
whilst walking out, we met someone to bow to, who we saw on board the
steamer, wrote a letter or two, and went to bed tired.
Sunday 11th August
Had breakfast, still feeling the motion of the steamer, went to church ‘The
Tron’ with our friends, heard a very peculiar sermon by Dr McGregor
from 3rd Gluisis, the Scottish church is very similar to our English Dissenters,
they invited us to go & have wine with them at their hotel, but we
did not, we invited them to tea with us, then came & took a stroll
round the town, with us to our hotel to dinner – enjoyed it, had
Salmon, Loin of Beef, and Loin of Lamb with peas potatoes & sauce,
Almond pudding of some kind, Tapioca ditto, & jelly. Met a gent who
knew Chelmsford well, after dinner he came & chatted with us for an
hour, offered to take us to the theatre on our return from the Trossachs.
During the afternoon, I wrote my diary, it came over to rain very heavily
for a time. Hatty wrote to mother (Mrs Quy) & Mrs Jones (Ma in Law)– Gosbeck.
Our friends have been & taken tea. We have since had a drive with
them, round the Queens Drive (Arthurs Mount) and fine very fine indeed
is the scenery. We saw the sweet little village of Haddington situated
in the loveliest of dells. Surrounded by the mountains of red rock, some
miniature Lochs peeping here and there wherever the eye might go, looking
so calm and happy, the rain which was falling all the time kissing them
as it fell, the green slopes were studded with many a pair of happy lovers
doing umbrella courtship, so picturesque a scene I had never witnessed
before at one time. The lovely Firth was before us and suddenly, on turning
our head, huge rocks which our eyes (in our then situation) could not
reach the top. The wonders of nature were indeed then before us on all
sides. If it had been fine weather, of course, we should have enjoyed
it more, our kind friends did all & said all they could for our comfort & Information, & to
our great surprise gave us a warm invitation to their manse in Dumfriesshire &,
before parting at night, would not think of taking ought for our share
in the expense of the drive & made every arrangement for our journey
to the Trossachs tomorrow & our visit to them about next Saturday,
why is it, I wonder that we should have met with such kindness from perfect
strangers, who would have thought it? Wherever I go I meet with such kindness
from quarters when I expected none. We are indeed obliged to them and
cannot express our gratitude as freely & warmly as we would wish,
this is quite an unexpected comfort as well as pleasure.
Monday, 12th August
Breakfast early to leave by train at 8.45 for the Trossachs. On the way
saw many objects of interest, the ruins of Middry Abbey where Queen Mary
passed the first night after her escape from Loch Leven Castle – Linlithgow,
the birthplace of the same. On arrival at Stirling we alighted & walked
thro’ the quaint old town with its equally quaint looking women
with their petticoats & linen frilled caps, some bare legs and feet,
also were most of the children. Passed thro’ the prettiest of cemetery’s
with its many monuments of interest, amongst them John Thorn’s the
famous one of two Virgin Martyrs – Margaret Wilson & her sister
Agnes who were tied to a stake below high water mark for Christianity’s
sake ‘Virgin Martyrs of the Ocean Waves’. The cool refreshing
gothic little drinking fountain with its miniature rustic bridge, was
all in keeping with the solemnity of the spot. On reaching the castle
we were very politely shown the chief features of it, by a very gallant
young English Officer. ‘The Douglas room’ & the ladies
walk with the Lions den were particular objects of interest. I ought to
have mentioned that on first entering the carriage at Edinbro’ there
were two Ladies on the same journey as ourselves, an American gent who
had been the same tour & each soon got into familiar conversation
with each other, the great departing to elsewhere during the time, after
passing thro’ several towns several towns of historical note amongst
them. We arrived at Callander, an old fashioned town, with posting house
in it, where we mounted a coach (and crammed, we were too rather uncomfortable
so) but as we went along, the beauties of the scenery dawned upon us,
and I may say increased in its beauty at every turn of our heads, sometimes
we found ourselves upon a road elevated at an alarming height from the
valley beneath us and almost at the same time we were by the side of some
sweet loch, or gentle stream running down in a silver-like manner to our
horses feet. On entering the Trossachs, our delight and exclamations increased.
Our Scottish coachman gave us all the information he knew about the way
(which was no little as he had driven thro’ the pass 35 years and
never had a single scratch as he said - his Scottish brouge was at times
scarcely understandable by us - 10 miles we drove, thro’ fern dells,
hills and slopes, until we thought nothing could be much more beautiful.
However we arrived at the beginning of Loch Katrine and what we had seen
was just a peep at the beautiful. The spot seemed all but a hallowed one,
we were only a few in number on a miniature steamer (clean & free
from all the late sad scene of the sickness) But there we sat in the full
enjoyment of the gorgeous and sublime beauties of nature before us. The
soft gentle mountain air came upon “with healing on its wing” it
seems to me that one might find comfort there under almost any trial,
that is if a taste for the beautiful is in the heart. On our arriving
at the end of the loch, we went on shore at the Stronachlachar Hotel,
waited a short time & then started again in an open coach for five
more miles of mountain slopes, the last of which the mountain torrent
was rushing past us, at some time it was nearly out of sight, the ravine
so deep beneath us and yet so very near. We arrived safely at the Inversnaid
Hotel, the end of our journey for that day. We found the hotel unusually
crowded, however as we were the bearer of a note of introduction to the
landlord (a fine honest face - a handsome gentlemanly Scotch man) we were
accommodated better than many others, (he giving up his bedroom for our
use). Our other travelling companions had to sleep on beds made up in
the parlour and 9 other guests in the dining room floor. We washed ourselves
a bit, and then went to a table d’hote tea and a pretty little set
out it was too, everything heart could wish for - after tea about 8.30
I took a stroll to the waterfalls close by, crossed them, on a bridge
made of wood, the torrent underneath us seemed to vibrate for some distance
round, gathered a few flowers, walked to the edge of Loch Lomond at the
floor of the Hotel garden - came indoors about 9.30, wrote a little then
went to bed, having had a bad cold & headache the greater part of
the day. Never have I slept in the midst of such magnificence.
Tuesday, 13th August
Got up about 7.30 not having slept at all well, on account of the sound
of some rats (and not a few) They created a great noise all round about
our room. No doubt they were enjoying the silence of the night, but at
the annoyance and expense of others.
To our great disappointment, the morning turned out wet. The mountains
around us
could scarcely be seen, even close by. I wrote a little in this diary
before breakfast, which took place at 8.30. Had some salmon cutlets & tea
for breakfast, but ate without appetite my cold was so sadly - After breakfast
took a hurried walk to the bridge over the falls, to gather a few wild
flowers. Saw the landlord and thanked him for so friendly resigning his
room to us, and took steamer for Loch Lomond.
On we journey again thro’ rain and mist up a finer Loch than Loch
Katrine but to my taste not prettier. There certainly was more grandeur
in it, what little I could judge thro’ the dense mist, and we saw
it to great disadvantage under the circumstances, but allowing for all
that, I still give the preference for Loch Katrine, it may be because
it was the first I had seen. I don’t think I can ever forget the
feeling of mingled pleasure & fear I experienced, during that days
journey as far as the Inversnaid Hotel. We landed at the end of Loch Lomond
at Balloch Pier where a train was in waiting for us drawn close up to
the pier, left there and went onto Glasgow, where we spent 6 hours, visiting
just the Cathedral, pleased with it, but not so much so as either of the
others I have been in – certainly the Crypt is very fine as also
is the stained glass, which is in nearly every window from Crypt to the
roof. Had a bit of fright about little FRANK, he moved from where he was
left & for a short time we could not find him. Strolled about town,
brought my cruet stand in Buchanan Street. Hattie also bought a Scotch
cap for Frank. Took train to Edinburgh discovered I had left my watch & chain
at the Inversnaid – wrote to Mr Blair for the same, felt very annoyed
with myself for doing – and a little frightened beside, although
I felt pretty sure it was safe. We washed & dressed for tea enjoyed
it although feeling sadly from the cold & fatigue. Received letters
from Mother, Molsie & Herbert.
Wednesday, 14th August
The Queen arrived from England to stay in the City for a day or so on
her way to Balmoral. The Castle guns fired a Royal Salute about 8.55.
Hatty heard from Mr Prophit relative to our visit – Very tired – did
not feel first rate, a beautiful day (Queens weather) took a walk out
bought a travelling basket at a large Bazaar also another, other little
things as presents from Scotland. After dinner set off again for a walk
in the hopes of seeing the Queen but felt too queer to remain out so came
in to lie down, had a nap, got up to tea feeling better. Saw Her Majesty
from our room window well. She looked jolly, but yet a little cross, suppose
she was feeling fatigued, I am glad to have seen her, poor old dear and
to think this should be the place, so far from home, Hattie had never
seen her, I had years ago – After tea Hattie and a lady staying
in the house set off for “Arthur’s Seat” but the latter
created a slight scene on the way which stopped their progress - a little
too much drink had been taken previous to starting & the ill effects
soon showed themselves – poor old Hat, wished herself anywhere but
where she was – she also met with another little set about, with
a Highlander who mistook her for a lady friend of his – Frank and
I took a little stroll in the city for a time – came in and put
him to bed a little odd job or two of needle work in our bed room and
then went to bed.
Thursday, 15th August
Got up at 8.30, Hatty heard from Mrs Prophit – I answered both
his her letters – dressed and set off for the Rosslyn bus but arrived
too late, rushed to the railway but only to be too late for that, much
to our disappointment, however the Superintendent advertised us to take
a train to Polton at 12:45 which we did, and after walking a good long
step through a very pretty lane found ourselves on the high road but all
on towards our journey end we all felt tired, tired, oh so tired, but
when we reached Rosslyn were doubly repaid for all our trouble, as one
Guidebook said ”it would be impossible to describe the beauties
of the architecture in that lovely little chapel, our time was short owing
to our mishaps in getting there, otherwise I could have enjoyed hours
in the place – we had to hastier to the coach for Edinburgh to try
for seats, not expecting to get any, but were fortunate in so doing. So
up we got on the top, fine fun, enjoyed the ride, something so entirely
new for me to ride outside, reached our hotel about 3 o’clock – took
tea, after changing our dress and then went to by some shoes for each
of us – walked a little further on expecting to see the Queen returning
from Dalkeith but she went in another direction. Came indoors again and
on my way some beast of a man spat upon my green silk dress – poor
unfortunate dress – Wrote during the remainder of the day.
Friday, 16th August
Mr Prophit called early to see us – Talked about sending telegram
for my watch as I left it at the Inversnaid Hotel, we thought it the best
thing to do. Mr P set off at once and so – made arrangements for
our journey to St Mungo – finishing the morning upstairs, with needlework & packing – dined
at the Waverley – Mr Prophit called again to take us to the station,
and see us off - very kind indeed of him. Took our tickets for Lockerbie
and left about 4 o’clock. Very pretty scenery on our journey. Sometimes
a hill on one side, covered with bright red heath & there by its side
one of ferns, on our left a sweet stream or some pretty Loch, our way
for many miles lay between two ridges of hills or small mountains to us.
We managed to get Frank there and back for nothing – thanks again
to Mr Prophit. On our arrival at Lockerbie Mrs P was there to meet us.
Her first words were “delighted to see you” outside the station
a close carriage awaited us, as it was raining fast. In we got & after
4 miles drive arrived at a sweet little Manse as I ever saw, standing
about 24 yards from a gentle and pretty river (The Annan) with slopping
grass leading to it. Everything that could be thought of & done for
us was already awaiting our arrival, a cheerful fire blazed in a pretty
study, a snow #000060 damask cloth lay upon the table on which was already
prepared our tea. Hot fish eggs, Toast, cake & Scotch oatmeal cakes,
with other sweeties, all prettily arranged on the prettiest of fancy dishes,
and although we were en persons it only seemed a dream for we were nothing
more than strangers to each other about a week since. Our bedroom was
the best in the house, with great comfort in it, the feeling of an older
acquaintance seemed to exist between us and the house, we were perfect
at home, one could not help feeling so – yet we kept wondering why
we should be so – we were tired on going to bed as the journey was
rather long, the distance being about 85 miles by rail from Edinburgh
where we started from.
Saturday 17th August
Breakfast about 9 – Frank in the nursery with 4 children, he did
not like their usual breakfast of porridge & milk (neither should
I, its too salty for my palate) After breakfast I played on the piano
for a time at 11 o’clock we set off for a 12 miles drive round Loch
Mayhew and other places. Got back about 4 o’clock – Fish and
stewed shoulder of lamb with green pea sauce, plum tart & boiled custard & cream – retired
to another room for a time – Mr Williamson the deputy Minister arrived
before tea time, after tea a little music and chatting till 11 o’clock,
then prayers & to bed-
Sunday 18th August
After breakfast, was driven to their church about 2 miles off. Service
at 12 – returned to dinner at 4.30. Cold Salmon hot roast fore quarters
of lamb, plum tart & blancmange - after dinner Miss Spence (the governess)
the children and ourselves walked along the glen (or dell) by the river
side leading from their house nearly as far as there Glebe Land extended – such
a sweet spot – trees, ferns and wild flowers in abundance, with
the sweet sound if the pretty river by our side, all made it seem like
a fairy dell – salmon and other inhabited the stream – Hattie
saw one of the latter – some parts of the stream were – Some
parts of the stream were fordable without shoes or stockings, so pretty
in parts, with a wood on the opposite side. I should like to have a tent
there for a day or two – tea at about 8o’clock, prayers and
bread & biscuits and milk supper each night .
Monday, 19th August
After breakfast I wrote to mother (Nee Wiseman Charlotte Quy)- Mr Williamson & I
to get some ferns from the dell. Mrs Prophit busy – I played for
about 2 hours piano & harmonium – Mrs P gave me a piece of music “Nazareth” also
gave Frank “Peep of Day” Frank for a drive to Lockerbie to
take Mr W to the train – we dined about 3, strolled in the garden
for fruit, Hatty & I into the burial ground close by the ruins of
the Kirk still remaining looking picturesque among the tombs – Left
the sweet house (where such a sweet calm seems to reign indoors & out)
about 5 for the train driving by Castle Milk and up to the Castle got
admission through Mrs Prophit being with us, as she & husband are
well known there by the proprietor K Jardin Esq. Saw all the principal
apartments in the Castle and a rare treat it was too, a more splendid
house we had never seen, magnificence was everywhere indoors and out,
the Owner was from home so all the pictures and chief beauties were undercover – but
we saw many of them, we also saw the portrait of the late Lady – poor
thing she died while the Castle was in building for her & left a dear
boy 1 month old, how sad to think about it, taken away in all her beauty
(for I am told she was extremely so) & in the midst of wealth & splendour,
although she only saw the castle whilst building – we had not much
time to stay for fear of losing the train for Edinburgh - however we saved
it by a long time as it was more than half an hour late – Mrs Prophit
waited to see us off and gave us many pressing invitations to go & see
her again (strange is it not?) we promised we would do so when an opportunity
offered – she showed the same amount of kind thoughtfulness up to
the time of our departure – and on our arrival at Edinburgh Mr P
was there at the station to meet us & help us – we took a cab & when
we got to the Waverley, found we could not have a bed, so off went our
friend to find us one – successed at the “Regent” so
over we went about 10:15 had some steak & coffee for supper & went
to bed Mr P had his room there also, he supped with us - found him looking
about the same, poor man his health is very indifferent.
Tuesday, 20th August
Rose about 8:45 had breakfast. Mr Prophit met us at the breakfast table – had
some chat with him about my watch (by the by I received quite safely last
night, a great relief to me to get it) At first Mr P had his doubts as
to whether I should recover it as he knew there were a number of dishonest
persons about – Saw him off by cab from the hotel& then went
ourselves to look for lodgings – succeeded in finding one large
airy bedroom & very comfortable in 9 Howe (or Home) Street – book
it until Saturday – set off back to a restaurant to dine – Collected
our boxes & parcels & arrived at 9 Howe (or Home) Street about
3:30 soon settled ourselves in the same, I the wrote to Mr Blair & Mrs
Prophit (St Mungo Manse Lockerbie) took a walk after tea, in again about
8, wrote some of this diary. Poor little Frank to bed with a cold, Heard
from Sally Gelder.
Wednesday, 21st August
Did not hurry up – breakfast in our bedroom – did a few odd
jobs & arranged our things then set out for the Palace of Mary Queen
of Scots (Holyrood) on our way purchased a butter dish & spoons in
Princes Street. Spent about a couple of hours in Holyrood, saw the apartments
of the ill fated Queen, the bedroom remains pretty nearly in the same
condition as when last inhabited by the poor luckless unhappy woman. There
is the room in which the murder of Rezzio took place, Lord Darnleys rooms & the
stair case that the assassins entered the Royal Chamber to carry out their
bloody intentions, and even saw the stains of blood upon the floor where
poor Rezzio was dragged to after the fatal blows given. Something sad
to contemplate – there is nothing so very beautiful to look upon
either in or about the Palace but of a certainly it is a place of great
interest in many ways – the pictures are very ancient, although
not to my taste in style, their antiquity gives them such a gloomy appearance & there
is such a sameness in all their frames – the abbey ruins are fine – there
is the Royal Vault containing the remains of David 2nd, James 2nd, James
5th his wife Magdalin, lord Darnley & Others, Rizzio’s gravies
also in the abbey. Only one side of the Palace is shown, the other being
left for our Queens use, she had recently occupied there – from
there we started for “Arthurs Seat” got a little way up but
had to return on account of the Scotch Mist so thick & damp, quite
like a fine rain – we got back to our lodgings at about 6 o’clock,
meat for tea & so tiredwith our days march, enjoyed our leas – I
wrote to Mother & Aunt Sally. Was disappointed at not hearing from
the former in the morning. Wrote in my diary till late – Frank sadly
with cold – my own cold feeling better by a great deal –
Thursday, 22nd August
No letter as expected from Mother, Hatty walked to the Waverley – Frank & I
set off to meet her. We strolled round the West part of town, through
handsome quiet streets – Had some luncheon about 12:30 then set
off walking to the Botanic Gardens – agreeably surprised by the
beauty – the Palm House is extremely fine & contained some magnificent
specimens of Palms. The Grounds are very pretty, not many flowers of great
beauty as they are chiefly collected for study. There is a good museum
containing some fine curiosities & specimens of different things.
We thoroughly enjoyed being able to sit down in the open air the day being
beautifully fine. We got very, very tired though & obliged to get
a cab home, had an early cup of tea, a little rest & set off again,
bought some wool work for H’s shoes, Hatty a hood for travelling,
then walked to Princes Gardens, watched some people play at “Bowls” went
on down High Street to see John Knox House (The great reformer) in the
street which is peopled by the lowest class in this lovely city, it was
crammed with all the riff raff imaginable - glad to get out of it – reached
home about 8:30 so tired, been on ones feet nearly all day. Had a letter
from Mr Blair about my watch in the morning. Got to bed in good time to
make much of our rest, ready for our proposed journey home on Saturday
night. Left Granton Pier about 3 o’clock in the afternoon of 24th
August 1872.
©
Our grateful thanks to Mr. Baldwin for allowing us to reproduce this
document.
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