HIGHLAND WEDDING. 157 



and weights, from four or five ounces up to a couple of 

 pounds. This process repeated thrice, we started for 

 home, with rather more than thirty fish, as the joint 

 production of rod and otter. 



The incident I now purpose recording, though not in 

 any way associated with sport, is nevertheless of no 

 small interest from its peculiar character, being an 

 example of the mode in which a wedding and its 

 festivities are commonly celebrated in the Highlands. 

 The parties concerned were, as might be presumed, of 

 a humble rank in life, the bride being the daughter of 

 a shepherd on the Laird's farm, and the bridegroom 

 himself another member of the same corps. 



There being no minister or kirk within sixteen 

 miles, a species of compromise was made between the 

 two parties, that dignitary undertaking to meet the 

 wedding couple and their friends halfway, and to 

 perform the ceremony in a cottage conveniently situated 

 by the roadside. 



On occasions of this kind open house is kept, 

 frequently for several days, and the capacities of every 

 cottage in the immediate vicinity are tested to the 

 utmost, the invitations being, by traditionary custom, 

 general, and the number of guests, unlimited. 



The company having collected at an early hour, set 

 out on their walk of eight miles, to the number of about 

 a score, and having met their minister at the appointed 

 place, had the important rite performed, and then, 

 in the most business-like manner, turned their faces 

 homewards. Halfway back however a ferry had to be 

 crossed ; and as the ferryman, an old friend, could not 

 leave his post to join in the festivities at home, what 

 more neighbourly than to stay and dance with him 

 there ? At once therefore forming into couples, they 

 ranged themselves on the deck of the ferry-barge, and 



ii 



