Ballachulish
The village of Ballachulish in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred on former slate quarries. The name Ballachulish (Ballecheles, 1522-- Straits community,) was much more correctly applied to the location now called North Ballachulish, to the north of Loch Leven, but was appropriated for the quarry villages at East Laroch as well as West Laroch, either side of the River Laroch, which were in fact within Glencoe and South Ballachulish specifically. The major industry is now tourist, although the majority of site visitors pass quickly by the town itself. The name Ballachulish (from Scottish Gaelic, Baile a' Chaolais) implies "the Town by the Narrows". The narrows in question is Caolas Mhic Phàdraig - Peter or Patrick's boy's narrows, at the mouth of Loch Leven. As there was no roadway to the head of Loch Leven until 1927, the Ballachulish Ferry, established in 1733, and also those at Invercoe/Callert as well as Caolas na Disadvantage were necessary. The Ballachulish ferry enclosed December 1975 when the Ballachulish Bridge ultimately opened up. The Ballachulish Hotel and also Ballachulish House (till recently a lodge hotel) lie near the tightens at (south) Ballachulish Ferry instead of in the "modern" town some 3 miles (5 km) east. Ballachulish House was deemed to be haunted, and the drive leading to it was ridden by a brainless horseman. The community of Glenachulish depend on Gleann a' Chaolais, the glen that runs down to the narrows. This is the topic of the Gaelic song, Gleann Bhaile Chaoil composed by John Cameron (1865-- 1951) and understood locally both as the Paisley Bard and also by his regional nickname Iain Cealaidh. He is typically perplexed with another local bard likewise called John Cameron, recognized in your area as Iain Rob (1822-- 1898). Gleann a' Chaolais is ringed by Beinn a' Bheithir, a massif which consists of 2 munros - Sgorr Dhearg and also Sgorr Dhonuill. In recent times a number of new residences have been developed in your area together with holiday huts and also an art gallery. Likewise the fields of Gleann a' Chaolais have actually been developed into the 9-hole Dragon's Tooth golf course. Overlooking the narrows is the monument to James of the Glen, "held on this area for a criminal activity of which he was blameless". Robert Louis Stevenson based his novel Kidnapped around the story of the Appin Murder. Whoever did eliminate The Red Fox (Campbell of Glenure) is still not known.