32 HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS 



Numerous raised beaches along the shore indicate con- 

 siderable alteration of the level of the land, and explain 

 how salt water lochs have become fresh. It cannot be 

 expected that the climate of a western island should 

 be particularly dry, but that of Colonsay compares 

 very favourably in this respect with that of the ad- 

 jacent islands of Mull and Jura. Often and often have 

 I stood dry and comfortable looking out with a feeling 

 of pharisaical superiority at the dense clouds discharg- 

 ing their contents upon those less favoured shores, 

 diverted to our north and west by the mountainous 

 peaks of Ben Mor and the Paps of Jura. 



I soon became reconciled to the comparative in- 

 accessibility of my island home. If it were not for its 

 difficult anchorage and its dangerous and reef- strewn 

 coast, Colonsay, close as it is to Oban, the Charing 

 Cross of the Highlands, would be constantly visited 

 by the thousand and one yachts which flit like so 

 many butterflies over the blue waters which encircle 

 the inner and outer Hebrides. The flora and fauna of 

 Colonsay would not, it is to be feared, remain so dis- 

 tinctive and characteristic as they are if it became a 

 regular calling place for the steam palaces which con- 

 vey Midas and his guests for their cruise among the 

 Western islands. 



Here reigned supreme, beloved by all the inhabi- 

 tants of his little kingdom, most of whom were his 

 clansmen and bore his name, the late Sir John M'Neill. 

 He did not inherit his property, but had to buy it 

 back from the heirs of the famous judge. Unfortu- 

 nately for him, land at the time of his purchase stood at 

 a high figure, and the interest of the price, which he had 

 to raise on mortgage, crippled his finances all through 



