52 . ON TEE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



As far as the eye could reach were tall mountainB, lochs 

 glistening in the sunshine, valleys through which 

 meandered bright sparkling streams ; which at this 

 distance resembled fine threads of silver as you traced 

 their course through the distant correis far away. 

 The atmosphere this day being clearer and brighter 

 than on any other during my visit, I see the Lomonds, 

 a tall range of mountains towering towards the sky 

 Varied and beautiful indeed is the prospect, the light 

 and shade alternating, and the whole forming a 

 panorama of wild scenery as grand as any I have ever 

 seen. Looking on the other side, I see the hills in the- 

 vicinity of Braemar, the tall summits being enveloped 

 in gloomy clouds, sombre and grand, a contrast to the 

 blooming picture I had just turned from. As I resume 

 my walk up rise thirty brace, then a covey of six 

 brace. We get single shots and scatter a covey, 

 marking some down on the side of a far-off hill. After 

 a brisk walk the place is reached. Lome, our hand- 

 some black-and-tan setter, points, standing as firm as 

 a rock. Up rises a ptarmigan, only to fall dead amongst 

 the heather. The rest of the covey rise, and are off to 

 a more secure resting-place, but I mark and follow 

 them again with success, until the time arrives to make 

 for the keeper's lodge, where I was to join my com- 

 panion. Arriving there I found him awaiting me, and 

 so ended the last and not least exciting of our many 

 days' fine sport, the total bag being thirteen brace of 

 grouse and fourteen and a-half of ptarmigan, as well 

 as several hares. Whilst resting during this hard day's 

 work, Ramsay pointed out the spot where, in a cave, 

 lie buried the bodies of those slain in a fray between 

 the men of Glen Isla and the men of Glen Shee, in the 



