THE LAXFORD 279 



From where the Loch More stream enters to where the Laxford 

 flows out, the line is fairly straight and this section of the loch 

 partakes of the long narrow character frequently met with in 

 steep glens. On the left, or south side, Ben Stack rises abruptly 

 to a height of 2,364 feet an isolated hill and naturally gives 

 the straight character to this side of the loch. On the right, 

 however, a broader loch basin has become joined, as it were, 

 to the long narrow section, so that the loch consists of two 

 basins and an elongation. The shore-line of Loch Stack is 

 about 8 miles ; the shore-line of Loch More about 10 miles. 

 The level above the sea is given as 118, and the distance to the 

 sea is four miles. 



Loch Stack is the best sea-trout loch in Sutherland, and I 

 cannot think of any other loch in Scotland which can yield 

 what this loch does. An average basket of sea-trout should 

 weigh from 15 Ib. to 25 lb., and very great catches are sometimes 

 made. Trout of over 5 lb. are not uncommon, but I have been 

 informed that curiously enough it sometimes happens that 

 quite a number of trout of smaller size are net marked when 

 taken. The total number taken in a good year amounts to 

 1,000 or 1,200 fish. About a score of salmon may also be got. 



The river Laxford proper, i.e., from the outlet of Loch Stack 

 to Laxford Bridge, is 3 miles, after which a half mile of tidal 

 river continues. In general character the Laxford is a most 

 attractive stream. The current is merry but not too fast. 

 There is much gravel and not a few boulders, but a fine 

 succession of pools, some 18 in number. The best pool is, 

 perhaps, that called the Duke's Pool. It is situated at a rocky 

 constriction in the river, which forms a strong current at the 

 neck, but below this the pool widens, and is of considerable 

 length, so that a fine cast is secured. I believe 14 fish have 

 been taken from this pool in a day. The Duchess Pool comes, 

 most appropriately, next below, and is also an excellent cast 

 when the water is in proper condition. It is fished from a 

 semicircular jetty of stones. Another pool which is fished 

 from a jetty is the Top Pool, which is also reckoned a pretty 

 sure hold. 



Fish are also got in the tidal runs well below Laxford Bridge. 

 On my last visit to the neighbourhood, when coming down 

 the hill to the bay at Badcall from Rhiconich, I happened to see 



