8 AUTUMNS IN ARGYLESHIRE 



flooded out on one day, and after a fine night to 

 find the upper pools too low for sport on the 

 following morning. It is owing to the sheep 

 drains that all the Scotch rivers not connected 

 with any large lake now rise and fall too rapidly ; 

 but the little Add has a few tidal pools where 

 there is always some chance of a grilse, or a few 

 sea-trout ; and it is not often that there is a 

 very prolonged drought in the Western Highlands. 

 I know no species of Highland game, except 

 ptarmigan and capercailzie, which cannot be 

 found within the bounds of the property, although 

 red deer have not penetrated beyond the woods 

 on the shores of Loch Awe. More than a score 

 of lochs provide good trout fishing in the spring 

 and summer, and there is capital sea fishing along 

 the coast, while the marine zoologist finds incom- 

 parable dredging ground in the deep and sheltered 

 waters of Loch Craignish, and other beautiful bays 

 and creeks. Opposite the mouth of Loch Crinan 

 lies a long row of rocky islands round which 

 great sport can be had with lythe and saithe at 

 the turn of the tide. Beautiful plumose anemones 

 may be seen here in the clear water, and off one 

 of these islands named Rua is a little natural 

 harbour famous in the early part of the century 

 as the resort of smugglers, who used to run their 

 luggers in behind a low rock, and after taking 

 down their masts, remain perfectly concealed until 

 the coast was clear, when their contraband cargo 



