SCOTCH RIVERS. 149 



(lay. Another pool, nearer the sea, was 

 almost equal to it; and at that time I should 

 have placed the Brora above the Ewe for cer- 

 tainty of sport. When I fished there last, in 

 1817, the case was altered, and I caught only 

 two or three fish in the very places where I 

 had six years before been so successful. In 

 the Helmsdale there are some good pools, and 

 I have caught fine fish there when the river 

 has been high. I have fished in the river at 

 Thurso, but without success — it was always 

 foul when I made my attempt. I have heard of 

 a good salmon river in Lord Reay's country, 

 the Laxford ; its name, of Norwegian origin, 

 would seem to be characteristic. * Alonir the 

 coast of Scotland, most of the streams, if taken 

 at the right time, afford sport. In this county 

 the Beauly is a good river ; and I have caught 

 salmon in that very beautiful spot below the 

 falls of Kilmornack. The Ness, at Inverness, 

 and the Awe and Lochy, I have fished in, but 

 without success. I may say the same of the 

 Ayr, and of the rivers which empty themselves 



* Lax is the Teutonic word for salmon. 

 L 3 



