2i 4 WILD FLOWERS OF SCOTLAND 



area, grows on those more moderate heights with 

 their shallower glens. 



I am settled by the Border stream, and looking 

 forward to a long walk over the hills. This is 

 in the yearly round. It has been my delight 

 to make myself as much at home on the heights 

 above the Tweed as on those of the Perthshire 

 Tay and the Forfar Isla and Esks. 



Several days are spent in getting myself into 

 condition. In my day and night fishing I have 

 done a good deal of tumbling up and down the 

 banks; but climbing is a thing apart, and needs 

 a training by itself. 



I start up one of the wild side-glens of this 

 portion of the valley. The burn, innocent-looking 

 as it is to-day, responds like an untamed colt to 

 the lightest lash of a cloud, by breaking into a 

 gallop, or clean taking the bit between its teeth 

 and careering headlong down. 



Oppressively desolate and lonely at first, these 

 glens take possession of one after a while, and 

 become wonderfully attractive. A day with the 

 rod is pleasant, if only as a strong contrast to 

 casting along the milder course of the Tweed. 

 One gets used to the crossing and recrossing of 

 the sheep over the stony channel. So, too, do the 



