174 STUDIES OF NATURE 



This we cross, then, passing the kirk, we go 

 down to the shore. When we reach the mouth 

 of the North burn the sun has disappeared 

 behind the western hills ; but the vast open 

 sky, east of us and above the water, is made 

 magnificent by clouds which reflect the colours 

 of sunset. Then the moon, pale and super- 

 naturally large, is detected hanging low down 

 over the far-off hills of Ayr. We cross the burn 

 by the stepping-stones, and pursue our solitary 

 way along the shore. It is a wonderfully fine 

 piece of coast scenery very wild and lonely. 

 Prom this point it would be a nine or ten miles' 

 walk to Loch Eanza, following the sea, and 

 nowhere, if I remember rightly, should we come 

 upon a human habitation. On one side is the 

 water ; on the other, and very near, a range of 

 hills Torr Eeamhar, Crogan, Laggan, Creag 

 Ohlas, and Torr Meadhonach. These hills are 

 rock-crowned, decked with heather, or dark with 

 hanging woods. The path beneath them is 



