Journals of Dorothy Wordsworth, Vol. 2 (of 2)

In this intimate travel journal, the writer records a rain‑soaked day on a 1803 tour of the Scottish Highlands, where the journey to Glenfalloch is halted by storm‑laden mountains. A modest farmhouse offers tea, sugar, and fresh curds, while the simple sounds of milking behind a hearth become a comforting backdrop to the bleak weather outside. The narrator’s eye captures the shifting mists over Loch Lomond, the humble cottages, and the stark contrast between the lively lowlands and the brooding peaks.

Later, the party seeks shelter at a ferry house, where two young women—one the ferryman’s sister—welcome them with warmth and humor. Their gentle conversation in a mix of English and Erse, the crackling fire, and the simple act of sharing garments reveal a vivid slice of Highland life. Through these observations, the journal paints a picture of resilience, hospitality, and the ever‑changing beauty of the Scottish landscape.