174 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



position on a sort of ridge, between Loch Earn, and 

 the south-western system. Only, after a little 

 seeming hesitation do they at length decide to pour 

 their tail-stream into the Teith, thence into the 

 Forth. Early spring fishing in these lakes is not 

 good. 



Dropping down to the Teith, Loch Vennachar is 

 early ; Loch Katrine uniformly good throughout. 

 On the infant Forth, Loch Ard is early ; Lochs Chon 

 and Dhu are late. "Those inhabited by pike," 

 says a veteran, "are my particular favourites, 

 especially when the greater part of the shore is so 

 clear of weeds as to make one independent of a 

 boat." 



The hills had the usual rounded summits, 

 smoothed no doubt by the same grating glaciers; 

 which, sliding down the glen, marked by the hill 

 burn, ploughed out the basin of the loch. But 

 there was one singular exception. A climb of a 

 few yards behind the cottage brought into view a 

 sharply-pointed conical peak. It was already the 

 fourth morning ere 



The sun his beacon red 



Had kindled on Ben Voirlich's head. 



This was the signal to depart. My further course 

 led me amid haunts and memories of the deer. 



