LOCH NA-NEAN. 37 



again over the stepping-stones in order to avail 

 ourselves of the slightest advantage of a level spot 

 that presented itself ; then along a narrow sheep- 

 track, the water all the while noisily leaping from 

 ledge to ledge, in haste to join a stream springing 

 from a hill in Glentaitneach, and another from Glen 

 Beg, which, when united, form the Shee. This 

 meeting of the waters is the meaning of the Gaelic 

 word " spital." 



Still higher and higher as we ascend, steeper and 

 steeper it becomes. I fancy we must have nearly 

 reached the summit, but a ridge only has been sur- 

 mounted. There, far away, is the end of our climb, 

 and many a difficult and slippery path will have to be 

 followed ere we reach the loch. It was toil, but 

 pleasant toil, and by slow degrees we were accom- 

 plishing our work, my companion climbing bravely, 

 undaunted by difficulties and regardless of danger, as 

 she crossed and recrossed the stream by means of the 

 slippery boulders which formed the stepping-stones, 

 without a slip or false step. The end is at last in 

 view, near at hand, but difficult to climb, being the 

 steepest bit of the whole. But in a quarter of an hour 

 we had gained the top, and were gazing on Loch 

 Na-Nean in all its beauty on this bright clear pleasant 

 day ; then, throwing myself down upon the heather, I 

 exclaimed, somewhat after that Peri who is described 

 by the poet as having attained Paradise : " Joy, joy 

 for ever ; the task is done. The mountain's climbed 

 the loch is won/' 



After a few minutes' rest the gillie who was in 

 attendance launched the boat, and we prepared to fish 

 as we floated over the too tranquil waters of the loch 



