io THE DEER FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



important matters to occupy their attention; there- 

 fore I proceed on my way, much regretting that 

 I am unable to say more of this ancient and well- 

 known forest than that I have read it is 18 miles in 

 length from east to west, and from 4 to 5 miles wide. 



FOREST OF MAR. 



This splendid forest, belonging to the Duke of Fife, 

 is one of the most ancient, if not actually the oldest, 

 of all the Scotch forests. It consists of 70,000 acres 

 on the north side of the Dee, with other 40,000 acres 

 on the south side. It marches with the forests of 

 Glenmore, Glenavon, Glenfeshie and Atholl, and in 

 addition to a large sanctuary, there is a considerable 

 extent of wood on both sides of the Dee for wintering. 

 The forest is full of high and rocky hills, and of these 

 Ben-mac-Dhui, 4,298 ft., and Cairn Toul, 4,241, are 

 the two highest. Ronald McDonald is head forester 

 over the whole, while his brother Ewan has charge 

 of the ground on the south side of the Dee. It will 

 carry five rifles every day of the stalking season, and 



