130 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



A mile or two above the rocky barrier to which I have re- 

 ferred we commenced trouting. Throughout the morning threat- 

 enings of rain had prevailed, which became realized just as we 

 arrived at a stretch of the river differing in its conformation 

 from that already passed, and evidently more suited to give 

 shelter and sustenance to fresh-water trout. This was the neck 

 of the Spean, in its conjunction with Loch Laggan. Here we 

 found the trout not only abundant, but a fair proportion of them 

 good-sized, approaching a pound in weight. The rain setting in 

 heavily, they rose with freedom. Having fished over that portion 

 of the river to our satisfaction, we had recourse to the loch itself, 

 from the coves and baylets of which, and more particularly at 

 the mouths of the small hill-feeders, which had been put into 

 rapid motion by the pluvial discharge, we elicited some fine 

 trout. Of two or three of the choicest of these fish I retain a 

 lively recollection, not on account of anything remarkable about 

 their size, but because of their splendid shape, and the brilliant 

 orange and golden tinge which invested them. The paucity also, 

 but chaste setting and arrangement of the maculce, formed a 

 point of attraction. I find in my diary an entry of six dozen 

 trout as my share of the sport on that occasion. Of these, three 

 were upwards of a pound in weight, and a large proportion of 

 the others half-pounders. 



The length of Loch Laggan is about eight miles. It is sur- 

 rounded by scenery of a highly imposing description, and skirted 

 here and there with forest remains, in some instances of large 

 dimensions and fantastic form. In the background, to the south, 

 stretches the Ben- Alder range of hills, which formed portion of 

 the great Caledonian Forest. These occupy the space betwixt 

 Lochs Laggan and Ericht. In the secluded glens with which 

 they are intersected red-deer abound, and the ptarmigan has its 

 haunts among their rocky heights. On our road to the upper 

 part of the lake, where the inn is situated, we were overtaken by 



