280 JfaIkfro7n Aberdeen 



Lodge, and crossed a bridge over tlie Cuach or Quoich* water, 

 at which latter place the strata are the usual gneiss and quartz- 

 rock, but here in nearly horizontal strata. From this, walked 

 across the hills to the base of Bcn-na-buird, the strata the whole 

 way proving to be gneiss, frequently passing into quartz-rock. 

 For a considerable distance the strata were but little inclined, 

 but as we approached the granite of Ben-na-buird the inclination 

 became considerable, and the dip, not as in the case of the lower 

 parts of this district to the SE., but to the NW. — the direction 

 SW. and NE. Near the head of Quoich water examined the 

 gneiss strata, where nearly in contact with the granite, and found 

 them dipping NW., that is, towards the body of the mountain. 

 The scenery around the upper part of this stream is overpower- 

 ingly dreary and desolate : on the one hand lofty, rugged, and 

 bare granite cliffs and precipices ; on the other, grey roundish 

 hills, sparingly clothed with a meagre-looking heather. The 

 granite continues to the summit of the mountain, exhibiting the 

 usual characters of the Cairngorm granite. 



During the tremendous days of the 3d, 4th, and 27th of Au- 

 gust 1829, the whole of the wild granite region of Cairngorm 

 was violently assaulted by the flood and the storm, and exhibited 

 scenes of fearful atmospherical agitation, and of the mighty 

 power of the waters let loose on its magnificent summits — ridges 

 — cliffs and glens— far exceeding in violence any thing re- 

 membered by the oldest inhabitant of those regions, where in- 

 deed every season these powers of nature are exerted with an 

 energy unknown in the lower parts of the country. Sir Tho- 

 mas Dick Lauder informs us, that during these storms the 

 subterranean water frequently burst out with great violence. 

 " The red granite hill of the MucJcle Glashault, nine miles to the 

 north-west of Invercauld, is about 3000 feet high, and of steep 

 ascent on all sides, the surface being covered with immense 

 masses of rock and granitic sand. On the north side, and at 



• " Cuach is a drinking cup, and the river is so called from the circular 

 holes worn in the slaty rocks near where the bridge stood. Tradition saj's 

 that the Earl of Mar, and his followers, used to rest here, as they returned 

 from the chase, and to drink, mixing their liquors with the pellucid water, 

 for which this river is remarkable. One of these holes is still called The Earl 

 of Mar's Punch-bowl" 



