21 



The angler should not visit St. Mary's without 

 calling at the cottage of Mrs. Richardson, known 

 under the cognomen of Tiby Shiels, situated at the 

 junction of the two lochs. Good accommodations 

 can be had ; and though the house is small, and its 

 embellishments of rather primitive cast, yet he must 

 not be peevish or fretful, seeing that she can furnish 

 him with a long list of Dukes, and Earls, and Lords, 

 and Baronets, and Sawms, who, in their piscatory 

 excursions, have from time to time made themselves 

 happy and cozy under her humble roof. 



After leaving St. Mary's Loch and its neighbour- 

 ing streams, the angler cannot make a more inter- 

 esting journey than to pass, on the main road which 

 leads to Moifat, to the point where Loch Skene 

 flows over the mountain edge, and forms the well- 

 known cascade, called the Grey Mare's Tail, and 

 which constitutes the commencement of Moffat water. 

 The walk through the defile of mountains is singu- 

 larly grand and impressive ; and an eifort should be 

 made, at the proper locality in the route, to pay a 

 visit to Loch Skene, where fine trout are to be 

 caught, but not in any great numbers. 



After the angler is satisfied with this sheet of 

 water, he may then pass off the Moffat road, at the 

 left hand side, and endeavour to make his way 

 through a very rugged and wild district, towards 

 the sources of the Ettrick. This is one of the most 

 romantic angling tours which can be taken in Scot- 

 land, inasmuch as it is singularly calculated to 

 impress the mind with a deep sense of loneliness, 



