Braeriach in Midsummer 



storm had come from the north, Cairn Toul had escaped 

 hghtly, and no snow lay even on its highest slopes. 



Shortly after midday the most sudden change that I have 

 ever seen on the hills transformed the whole face of the 

 country from Ben MacDhui to the far distant Atlantic. As 

 though by magic the mist everywhere lifted, and from a sky 

 of deep blue the sun shone brilliantly. Near the head of 

 Horseman's Corrie I lay awhile, sheltered from the wind. 

 Westwards countless hills formed the horizon. Ben Lawers, 

 above Loch Tay, was plain, and the cone of Ben More above 

 Crianlarich. Even the snow-beds on Ben Nevis were clear, 

 and I imagined I could see the sharp peak of Ben Cruachan 

 sloping away to Loch Awe. Then to the west of far-distant 

 Ben Nevis I could make out what I think were the high 

 hills about Kingairloch, or even the Island of Mull itself. 

 It has been asserted that from Braeriach the Cuchulain 

 Hills in Skye can be made out. I do not think this is the 

 case, but the sharp hills which lie about Knoydart may have 

 been mistaken for them. 



In Horseman's Corrie the drifts of fresh snow were ex- 

 tensive and blotted out the large field of winter's snow which 

 I had seen there earlier in the week. The air, out of the 

 wind, was now quite warm, and the blaeberry plants were 

 giving off their fine scent about me. Several ptarmigan rose 

 from their broods, and an indication of the severe weather was 

 given by the fact that in two instances but a single chick 

 survived, while in another — and I think this bird was the same 

 as the one I had flushed five days previously with a brood 

 of six — only two now remained. By evening, except for a few 

 wreaths, the snow had entirely gone, and every hill burn was 

 running fast and full. Thus came and vanished a storm 

 of midsummer snow, and one hoped that a spell of fine and 

 windlers weather might now come to the high grounds for 

 the sake of the deer and the mountain birds, whose existence, 

 even under favourable circumstances, is a hard and almost 

 incessant struggle against the elements. 



39 



