Ben More Ahill 



Full often does the wind in the season of storms, sweep- 

 ing" down from Ben More, rush through the narrow Sound 

 of Ulva, so that the spindrift boils on the surface of Loch 

 Tuadh, and on Loch nan Ceall the waves run mountains 

 high; when at the same time on the waters of the Firth of 

 Lome scarce a breath of wind stirs, and when Loch Buie is 

 calm in the sunlight. 



But gradually, with the strengthening power of the sun, 

 and when the season of spring is already well established 

 in the glens, the brown grasses of Ben More become tinged 

 with green, and at last this verdure extends even to the 

 summit of the hill, so that the dark rocks seem still more 

 sombre on account of this touch of life that is about them. 

 There are times when at the close of a summer's day, 

 when the sun is sinking behind Ulva and when the whole 

 of the hill is bathed in a warm soft light, that Ben More 

 takes on a strangely soft and kindly aspect, but for all 

 that the hill is essentially one of wild and rugged grandeur 

 — in its element when the storm-clouds race in from the 

 sea, and when the roar of the gale re-echoes from its gloomy 

 rocks, where the eagle revels in the storm. 



89 



