THE VALLEY OF THE KEN 51 



foothold upon the exposed lip of the valley — or 

 searing with their withering blasts the outer edges 

 of the spruce plantations which here and there 

 struggle to maintain a precarious existence. 



It is such a rugged ravine as this which might 

 have inspired Sir Walter in his impressive de- 

 scription of the lair of the fanatical Covenanter, 

 Balfour of Burley. Rather it reminds one of 

 parts of Glen Lyon (with its wealth of beauty), 

 than of the scenery in what is known as the Low- 

 lands of Scotland. 



The high, narrow fall at the Tinkler's Loup, 

 forms a bar so formidable that it prevents the 

 salmon from penetrating the upper waters of the 

 Deugh, despite several attempts having been made 

 to blast away the obstruction. Many salmon and 

 grilse consequently find a resting-place in the pools 

 below, one or two of which, on the Dalshangan 

 water, furnish a few fish each season toward the 

 latter end of the summer. 



A mile below Dalshangan the river is augmented 

 by the influx, from the west, of an important burn, 

 the Polmaddy — the Burn of the Dogs. For up 

 the valley formed by this stream, towards the 

 base of the Kells range, were kept, in olden days. 



