LOCH C RE RAN. 



catastrophy. A heavy wooden roof, with plenty of exit 

 for the entering wind, and no rational excuse on account 

 of extreme youth for indulging in such vagaries, took a 

 flight heavenward and fell with a crash on the lawn near 

 by. It was not in a corner, it was heavily timbered, and 

 was simply a wanton piece of recklessness on the part of 

 the squalls, and proof of their sheer strength. The stones 

 along the sands on which sea-weed was hanging were 

 rolled about by the wind with the greatest ease, even up 

 to very heavy weights ; and we are not so much surprised 

 at our disasters as amazed that the list is so small 



Yesterday morning, before the gale came on in its 

 severity, the rooks were circling about in great multitudes 

 overhead at an exceptional height, corroborating the 

 popular faith ; while to-day, now that the gale is upon us, 

 they are skimming hurriedly and anxiously close to the 

 waves. Before the evening closed in a great flight of sea- 

 gulls made their appearance in front, to their favourite 

 haven in a gale, so that we were justified in concluding 

 that the storm was not yet over. After an hour's lull it 

 once more howls around us, and throws the loch into 

 breakers against our shores. 



While traversing the beautifully-wooded vicinity of 

 Lochnell's ruined mansion it relieved the eyes to turn them 

 from the sea, in mad revelry, to the wondrous beauty of 

 the foliage and the exceptional display of berries. The 

 great thorn hedges were in rich crimson garb from the 

 masses of haws, while the rowans were here still in per- 

 fection, although about Barcaldine shores they have long 

 been withered, and valueless for purposes of display or 

 preservation. One tree greatly attracted our attention. 

 The leaves had entirely fled, and the berries hung still in 

 rich masses, fresh and unwrinkled, while every branch 



