The town of Ballachulish in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, is centred on former slate quarries. The name Ballachulish (Ballecheles, 1522-- Straits town,) was more appropriately applied to the area now called North Ballachulish, to the north of Loch Leven, however was usurped for the quarry villages at East Laroch and West Laroch, either side of the River Laroch, which were really within Glencoe and South Ballachulish respectively. The principal sector is currently tourist, although many visitors pass swiftly by the village itself. The name Ballachulish (from Scottish Gaelic, Baile a' Chaolais) indicates "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 road to the head of Loch Leven till 1927, the Ballachulish Ferry, established in 1733, as well as those at Invercoe/Callert as well as Caolas na Disadvantage were crucial. The Ballachulish ferry closed in December 1975 when the Ballachulish Bridge finally opened up. The Ballachulish Hotel as well as Ballachulish House (till lately a lodge hotel) lie near the narrows at (south) Ballachulish Ferry as opposed to in the "contemporary" town some 3 miles (5 kilometres) eastern. Ballachulish House was reputed to be haunted, and the drive bring about it was ridden by a brainless horseman. The district of Glenachulish lies in Gleann a' Chaolais, the glen that diminishes to the narrows. This is the topic of the Gaelic tune, Gleann Bhaile Chaoil composed by John Cameron (1865-- 1951) as well as known locally both as the Paisley Poet and by his regional nickname Iain Cealaidh. He is usually perplexed with another local poet also called John Cameron, recognized in your area as Iain Rob (1822-- 1898). Gleann a' Chaolais is ringed by Beinn a' Bheithir, a massif which includes 2 munros - Sgorr Dhearg and also Sgorr Dhonuill. In recent times a number of brand-new houses have actually been developed in your area together with vacation chalets as well as an art gallery. Likewise the fields of Gleann a' Chaolais have been developed into the 9-hole Dragon's Tooth golf course. Neglecting the narrows is the monolith to James of the Glen, "held on this place for a criminal offense of which he was not guilty". Robert Louis Stevenson based his novel Kidnapped around the tale of the Appin Murder. Whoever did kill The Red Fox (Campbell of Glenure) is still not known.