160 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. XL 



of cultivation and the crops would do credit to 

 many a southern county of England. 



The sheep, black cattle, ponies, etc., in many 

 parts of the county, are not to be surpassed in 

 Britain. The naturalist, whether his tastes incline 

 to botany, ornithology, or any other line of this 

 interesting pursuit, will find ample means of en- 

 riching his cabinets ; while I can safely promise 

 the lover of fine and varied scenery a treat that 

 would repay him for a far more difficult and 

 weary journey. 



There are three ways of reaching Inverness from 

 Edinburgh : by the steamers which ply along the 

 east coast; by the Highland road, which passes 

 through the centre of the country; or by Aber- 

 deen : the latter is the least interesting road, as it 

 passes through the bleakest and least beautiful part 

 of Scotland. The Edinburgh and Inverness steamer, 

 the " Duke of Eichmond," is comfortably enough 

 arranged, and makes good way through the water, 

 but the number of stoppages at different ports is 

 tiresome to the traveller whose object is to reach 

 the end of his journey. The Highland road has a 

 paucity of public conveyances on it at present, but 

 passes through a fine and characteristic range of 

 country. I have occasionally taken the circuitous 

 route going from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and 



