STRONG EXCITEMENT. 389 



more modern times, muskets that had graced the shoulders 

 of volunteers of our own day, by some means or another 

 had escaped being restored to the Armoury of the Tower 

 of London, and remained for efficient ball practice, as well 

 as for sending showers of small shot amongst grouse and 

 black game. In proportion to the increase of sheep 

 farming, the numbers of Highland sportsmen were dimi- 

 nished ; and to this I attribute the very rapid increase of 

 the deer. The attention of English sportsmen was called 

 to them, and the protection since given has, in some dis- 

 tricts, rendered them a nuisance to the farmers. 



There are several districts in Ross-shire where deer are 

 stalked ; but at Coul they carry on the war by what is 

 called a tinkel; which, in practice, signifies a drive towards 

 particular spots or passes. The scenery is very beautiful ; 

 and to some points where the guns are usually stationed, 

 the access is so easy that ladies may witness the sport. It 

 is a very fine sight, says Sir George, to see a herd emerge 

 from one part of the wood and scour the open space ; 

 sometimes occupying a knoll and reconnoitring, and then 

 dividing into parties, and making for other shelter. Their 

 movements are so exciting, that killing the creatures is 

 not always thought of; and the sportsmen sometimes 

 become so nervous, that they mistake distance, and either 

 miss a near shot, or do not fire at all. Again, a deer has 

 been known to run a-muck along some hundred yards of 

 an opening in the wood, and to receive five balls before he 

 fell; thus many are lost, which retire to thickets when 

 wounded, where they die. 



The hill of Tor-Achilty, close to the beautiful residence 

 of Coul, abounds with deer. It is finely varied, and there 



c c 3 



