1882-83.] Edhiburgh NaUiralists Field Club. 1 1 1 



We are now 1182 feet above sea level, and can look down Glen 

 lorsa, the longest of the Arran valleys. As, however, we are to 

 climb Caisteal Abhail, we do not wait longer than sufiScient to 

 examine the view. A mile and a quarter good hill walking brings 

 us to the crest of the Castles (2735 feet) ; and now we have a noble 

 view of Glen lorsa, with its beautiful stream trickling over granite 

 gravel, passing into small lakes, and latterly into Loch lorsa. On 

 the hills to the south-west lie Loch Tanna and Loch Dubh, both of 

 which are 1065 feet above sea level. The former loch affords good 

 sport, as it contains large quantities of mountain trout. It is most 

 easily got at from Catacol. From the Castles we fall 700 feet, and 

 attack Chior Mhor (2618 feet). No one who has ever ascended this 

 mountain will compare any other Arran view to it. True, you cannot 

 see the Largs shore on account of Goat Fell ; but otherwise the view 

 is grand, — Brodick, lorsa valley to Dougrie, Bute, Cumbrae, Cantyre, 

 the Paps of Jura, the Irish coast, are a few of the most promi- 

 nent ; whilst Sannox and Kosie Glens lie at your feet. The hill is 

 difficult of ascent, but the way we have come is comparatively easy. 

 Alchemilla alpina is added to our collection. With very great 

 care we pilot our way down to the scarp between the Chior and 

 Goat Fell, and lying at the top of Glen Eosie. We fall 1600 feet 

 in little more than a quarter of a mile, so you can readily under- 

 stand that heather or grass is a most welcome aid in lowering your- 

 self. All the guide-books I have seen declare this way impossible ; 

 and probably were I to suppose valuable lives accompanied by dizzy 

 heads were to follow me, I should do the same. No one not thoroughly 

 accustomed to hill walking, or not having a perfectly steady head, 

 should even attempt the inner igneous circle in Arran. A good 

 clear head, strong, well-trained body, and a good compass and 

 map, will carry one anywhere in the island. By a slight track 

 used by shepherds occasionally, we proceed to Goat Fell (2866 

 feet), and here we enjoy an August sunset. As it is somewhat 

 chilly, we get behind a rock, and after a slight refreshment start 

 down the east scarp. Already the stars are out ; and as the moon 

 is not yet up, it darkens very rapidly. By the time we are on the 

 moor it is quite dark, and we steer our way home to Corrie by 

 means of the lighthouse on the Little Ciimbrae, arriving tired, not 

 exhausted ; and after a wash and tea, break out into that magnifi- 

 cent glow — a luxury only known to the healthy, and to them only 

 after severe exercise in the mountain air. A good sleep finds us 

 next morning desirous to be at it again, and only sorry that yester- 

 day's experiences do not come more often. If we are not in perma- 

 nent lodgings, we are safe with Mrs Morrison at the Corrie Hotel. 



At this meeting Mr MacAdam also described certain diatomace- 

 ous deposits from the peat of Aberdeenshire, Sutherland, and 

 Lewis, and exhibited slides of the Diatoms under the microscope. 



