A WEEK AT GLEN SHEE. 159 



hidden it ; but, after an ascent of about 2500 feet, 

 it is so much used by sheep, and marked by quartz 

 cairns, that it may not only be easily followed but 

 makes a fine \valk. This path I kept right over the 

 ridge, till I looked down upon the great Canlochan 

 Glen. As there was a good deal of snow lying about, 

 and the wind was strong, the rain cold, and the 

 mist flying in great masses, I resolved to turn back; 

 and with the aid of my compass I made for the 

 cairn where the three counties— Perth, Forfar, and 

 Aberdeen — meet. I then struck in a direct line 

 between Meall Odhar and Glas Maol, again reaching 

 tlie Braemar Road about four miles from the hotel, 

 and thus saving at least nine miles' walking. I may 

 say here, after the experience of other tAVo days in 

 that region, that in going to Canlochan or Canness 

 from the Spittal, the best way is to walk on the 

 Braemar Road to a point about half-a-mile past the 

 " Devil's-Elbow," and then x>i'oceed up the shoulder 

 of Meall Odliar. In this way about 1000 feet of 

 pretty stiif climbing is necessary, but afterwards the 

 walk is easy. By the road first mentioned there is 

 little to attract attention till a considerable j)art of 

 the ascent has been attained, Av^ien a good deal of 

 Carex rarlflora and C. Watsoni may be observed in 

 the boggy pools ; but by the latter road a botanist 

 can never weary. If a look-out is kept on the ascent, 

 many dwarf willows will be seen ; and when the 

 flrst ridge is reached, it will be found to be literally 

 covered with Azalea prociunhens. In passing along 

 the slojDCs, many of the rarer alpine mosses and 

 Hejoaticce — notably Tetraplodon vinioides, with its 

 peculiar-looking capsules, growing on sheep-dung — 

 will be found ; also as many " averns " or " cloud- 

 berries" — the fruit of Rubiis Chaincemorus — as one 

 can care to eat. Veronica aJphia, Epilohhnn anagal- 

 lidifolium, E. alsinifoliuin, Alopecurus alpinus, and 

 Phleuin alpinuin, are frequent in the rills, along with 

 abundance of Carex rarlflora and C. Watsoni. In 

 coming down from Meall Odhar into Canlochan, I 



