THE NAIRN 163 



Fishery Board exists, the competent excuse is possible that only by 

 action on the part of a Board, through their clerk, can such pro- 

 visions be carried out. But in the Nairn district there is a Board. 



The fishing rights at the mouth go with the Brodie estate, and a 

 certain amount of sea-trout and finnock fishing can usually be 

 obtained here by members of the public. Both banks for about two 

 miles up are fished from Brodie. Above this, on the left bank, 

 Kilravock has 5 miles ; and on the right bank Geddes property, and 

 then for four miles or so the Earl of Cawdor. Above this on both 

 banks is the Holme Eose section of about a mile ; then on the left 

 bank the three next miles are held by the Culloden Trustees, and five 

 miles on the right bank go with Cantray. Above this the Mackin- 

 tosh owns both banks for a considerable distance ; then a short piece 

 goes with Failie, then Farr has two miles or so, then Flichity and 

 Brin fish both banks. The last-mentioned property is about the 

 furthest up on which any salmon fishing is to be had, and I fancy 

 the fish are not in very good condition when they get there, unless 

 the season has been a wet one, and the various dam dykes have been 

 less hindrance than usual. 



The main line to Inverness strikes the Nairn valley at Daviot, 

 and at a high level, but with a gradual descent, follows the valley 

 downwards to the crossing at the high stone viaduct not far from 

 the station named Culloden Moor. On the run down to the viaduct 

 a view of the famous battlefield is obtained, and the Cumberland 

 Stone, as it is called, is distinctly visible, at which " The Butcher " 

 is said to have breakfasted, and from which he afterwards surveyed 

 the battle. The battlefield now presents a very different appearance 

 from what it must have done in April 1746, for many trees have 

 grown up to cover the brow of the slope, and hill draining has 

 brought about further modification. Nowhere now could horses and 

 cannon get bogged, as happened apparently when the Duke of 

 Cumberland made his final advance within half-a-mile of the High- 

 land army previous to receiving the first attack. In the peaceful 

 aspect of the country nowadays, when nothing more warlike than 

 the distant pop-pop of the sportsman reaches the ear on a summer 

 day, it is difficult to realise the revolting scene which succeeded the 

 defeat of the gallant Highlanders ; when wounded men, unable to 

 retire across the Nairn river with the main body, were for days 

 dragged from their hiding-places and brutally massacred in cold blood. 

 Culloden was a great victory, but it left a deep stain which is only 

 now fading from memory. 



