163 



fly suffers then considerably. A ramble by the 

 banks of these streams is, however, a great luxury, 

 for the scenery in many parts of their course is wild 

 and romantic beyond description. 



The river Helmsdale is twenty miles in extent, 

 and has its rise from Loch Macayn, then flows 

 through Loch Baden, where a little below it is 

 joined by the Ellec Water, which is itself connected 

 with three mountain lochs, all of which are said to 

 be well stocked with trout and pike the latter of 

 very large size. Lochs Leam-na-Clavan, Carr, and 

 Loch-in-Buar, contain fine trout and charr. The 

 Helmsdale river, taken altogether, is an excellent 

 one for general angling sports. 



Going north a few miles from the higher streams 

 of the Black Water, we soon reach the springs of the 

 Halladale, which flows into the North Sea. Its 

 length is about twenty miles. Near to it are Loch- 

 na-Coorach, Loch-na-Sealy, and Loch Balligill; all 

 containing fine red trout. In the same neighbour- 

 hood lies Loch Arron, likewise celebrated for its 

 good trouting. 



The river Strathy runs parallel with the Halla- 

 dale, at only a few miles' distance. It is equally as 

 large as the latter stream. It contains salmon, grilse, 

 and fine large trout. The angling in the higher 

 waters of the Strathy is excellent, when the waters 

 are in full trim. 



Keeping by the north coast, we soon, on leaving 

 the Strathy, fall in with the Naver river, which 

 springs from Loch Kaver ; a sheet of water seven 



