86 THE DEER FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



subsequent replacement of the sheep ; this somewhat 

 remarkable fact, which certainly is not the case 

 with other sheep grounds, is accounted for by the 

 protection afforded to the deer by the thickness 

 of the old wood and old heather, and the further 

 guard against all disturbance provided by the 

 water boundary of Loch Arkaig side. This method 

 of working answers well when Achnacarry is 

 let for the season, as thereby is afforded a very 

 large extent of what is practically, though not strictly 

 speaking, forested ground, while even if anything 

 should go wrong the tenant has to deal with the 

 landlord only, and not with third parties. Loch 

 Arkaig, which is some fourteen miles long, bisects 

 this ground, and by the aid of a steam launch it 

 forms an exceptionally useful and pleasant way of 

 sending sportsmen to and from their beats on either 

 side or at the far end of the loch. Achnacarry and 

 that part of Gulvain going with it yield an average 

 of about sixty stags each season ; a greater number 

 could doubtlessly be killed, but it is rarely that 



