LONE LOCH WEE 69 



One of the most charming features of a holiday 

 spent at Dairy, was the freedom with which the 

 angler could drift where his fancy led, or fish in any 

 loch he might happen to come across. Even the 

 boat, if there were one, was placed at his disposal, 

 should he ask for the favour of a day's fishing. 



I recollect, on one occasion, when going to a 

 certain loch, I called at a farmhouse near by, to 

 ask permission to use the boat — for the farmer had 

 the right of fishing on the loch. The owner, whom 

 I did not know even by sight, was out at the time, 

 but his maid readily gave me the key of the boat- 

 house. About one o'clock, when I happened to be 

 lunching on the shore, a nice-looking young man 

 arrived at the loch-side, armed with a fishing rod, 

 and quietly took possession of the boat. I im- 

 mediately revealed my presence, and remonstrated 

 with the stranger, informing him that very shortly 

 I intended to resume my fishing. He apologised 

 profusely, and said that he would only keep the 

 boat for a little while, and as soon as I had 

 finished my lunch I could have it again. He also 

 deprecatingly mentioned, as an afterthought, that 

 the boat belonged to himself. So I, in turn, had 

 to apologise, and thank this most courteous of 



