CHAPTER III. 



CLIMBING THE CAIRNWALL. 



FAMILIAK to those who have travelled from Blairgowrie 

 to Braemar is the Cairnwall, one of the steepest and 

 grandest of the Grampian Hills, exceeding 3000 feet 

 in altitude, and standing boldly out amidst its com- 

 panion heights in the lovely valley of Glen Beg. 

 Around this noble hill, or, as it might more appro- 

 priately be styled, mountain, was the ground to which 

 we journeyed at an early hour of the morning to shoot 

 grouse, whilst enjoying the lovely scenery around us. 

 Our party divided, one going with Ramsay, the second 

 keeper, who had charge of the dogs ; whilst I accom- 

 panied my friend, with Robertson, the head-keeper, 

 and the other dogs, first having arranged a trysting- 

 place where we were to meet at luncheon-time. 



Scarcely had five minutes elapsed ere we commenced 

 a day's sport which I have never seen equalled. Good 

 .as our first day proved, our bag on this occasion 

 greatly exceeded it. When my companions first rented 

 this moor, grouse were not plentiful ; but with good 

 management, a first-rate keeper, and fair shooting, the 

 stock has greatly increased. The advantage to the 

 proprietors of moors of having thorough sportsmen 



