I/O ANGLERS' EVENINGS. 



Dimrobin contains a collection of local mineralogical and geological 

 specimens, ranging from the Laurentian gneiss to the upper oolite. There 

 are also many interesting archreological relics from the stone age upwards, 

 including a valuable series from the Pictish towers so numerous in the 

 coupty. The natural history of a wide district is also represented by fresh 

 water and marine fishes, plants, and animals. One room is devoted to the 

 purposes of a general museum, and contains arms, implements, and natural 

 history specimens from many distant lands. Several of the Pictish towers 

 which have been explored are within easy drive of Golspie. 



Lock Mulach Corrie. — The Gillaroo. — Is thei'e a " gizzard trout ? " 

 Some specimens examined by the writer had no trace of any such organ. 

 Their stomachs contained indeed some very small rounded pebbles, but this 

 is not unusual in common burn-trout. If the name be Celtic it is probably 

 derived from gillie, a lad, and ruadli, red — pronounced gillarooa, which is 

 very like gillaroo, and may refer to the redness of the flesh caused by rich 

 feeding on Crustacea and mollusca. So rich indeed are these trout, that they 

 cannot be carried for any great distance. Some specimens sent direct for 

 about sixty miles put one's scientific enthusiasm to a severe test in their 

 dissection. If eaten fresh they would doubtless be of fine flavour. The 

 question of the existence of a " gizzarded trout" is important and is hereby 

 commended to the consideration of the Manchester Anglers' Association. 

 This loch, long famed as the habitat of such a fish, offers a good chance of 

 investigating the matter, but it must be done on the spot. 



Loch Naver. — A district extremely rich in archaeological interest. Many 

 Pictish towers (seven within a few miles) occur. Also Eirde-houses or 

 underground dwellings, and a great number of Pictish hut-circles, and 

 associated sepulchral tumuli. The cross over the Red Priest's grave is also 

 worthy a visit, and the famed Loch Mo'Nair, still in repute and resorted to 

 for the cure of mental disease. 



Loch Shin. — Near this lie the reclaimed lands, the scene of such 

 interesting experiments in steam cultivation. Few districts will better repay 

 the researches of the mineralogist. The neighbourhood of the Limestone 

 band in the lower Silurian strata is richest. 



River Blackwater. — " Kilcolmkill," now called " Gordonbush. This 

 stream runs in a very romantic dell, and, where at one point its course is 

 traversed by a granite vein, it has cut its way under it through the flaggy 

 gneissose rock, and leaps in a fine cascade through its port of escape. 



