Sttnset and S7mrise on Ben Nevis 



position, was undoubtedly Bidean nam Hian in the Glen Coe 

 district, which, although not much over three thousand five 

 hundred feet in height, must often, one imagines, retain tiie 

 remnants of the winter snows in its north-facing corries 

 throughout the summer. 



It was to the east that the mist first showed signs of 

 clearing, and soon rifts appeared in the sea of cloud, the 

 green glens and hill lochs coming gradually into view. 

 Of the sea lochs visible the Linnhe Loch was most pro- 

 mment, and through the glass one could see the swift 

 current flowing through the narrows connecting that loch 

 with Loch Eil. Though a breeze had sprung up, the sky 

 was unclouded, and as a result of the heat the edge of the 

 field of snow near the Observatory had retreated a good 

 six inches during the morning. On this field of snow a 

 meadow pipit was for some time observed running actively 

 around and picking minute insects from off the frozen 

 surface of the snow, and about the same time a ring ouzel 

 was noted to fly across the hilltop. Of the snow bunting 

 I saw no trace, though doubtless he was not far off. 



By afternoon the mists had gone, and hill and glen now 

 stood out in the strong light; but the charm of the morning 

 scene — when the world beneath was shut out in that silent 

 mantle of cloud — had vanished, though in the memory it will 

 be for ever retained as a rare and priceless gift of the Spirit 

 of the High Hills. 



