386 EASTER ROSS, CALROSSIE, AND COIGACH. 



tion for his game. It is much to be regretted that hardly 

 any part of this fine forest is kept properly clear of sheep ; 

 though this is doubtless one cause of the increasing num- 

 bers of the deer in neighbouring places. 



They are accordingly found in Loch-Broom, on the 

 estates of Castle Leod, Sir Hugh Munro of Foulis, Munro 

 of Novar, and Davidson of Tulloch, in sufficient numbers 

 to make the pursuit of them a constant sport. 



The estate of Foulis, comprising the greater part of the 

 lofty range of Ben-Weavis, should perhaps be more 

 specially mentioned, as capable of being made, by the 

 exclusion of sheep, a sure resort for red deer. 



From the Freevater forest the deer have long since 

 straggled into the large fir woods in Easter Ross, which 

 are in the neighbourhood of Balnagown Castle, and Cal- 

 rossie ; and though they may wander, in many instances, 

 between these woods and their original forest, they have 

 now completely established themselves there, dwelling and 

 feeding amid much interruption from the proximity of 

 population, for which, however, experience has shown 

 that the red deer, in the shelter of his woods, cares but 

 little. 



To the west of the Freevater forest there remains of 

 Koss, or rather of Cromartyshire, the wild district of 

 Coigach, a part of the Cromarty estate, and the property 

 of the Honourable Mrs. Hay Mackenzie ; and the deer- 

 stalker, who loves the sport in perfection, will be glad to 

 learn that the son of this lady has devoted a considerable 

 part of Coigach as a forest for the deer; intending to 

 build a lodge there, at Rhidorach, a situation of much 

 natural beauty. 



