AT THE UNIVERSITY 53 



But it was not all work with him. He enjoyed life thoroughly, 

 was fond of society, and went out a great deal to dinners and 

 dances. He was an excellent waltzer, and that and his other 

 social gifts made him much sought after in Glasgow society. 

 Walking and climbing were favourite recreations in which I was 

 frequently his companion. We sometimes spent the week-end 

 together either at his aunt's at Kilcreggan or at Fairlie, my own 

 people's summer quarters. Boating was another favourite 

 amusement. Ramsay had some skill in the management of a 

 lugsail, but with later experience of that treacherous rig I look 

 back with a shudder to a morning I spent with him off Kil- 

 creggan on one of the most dangerous reaches of the Clyde, for 

 he was as venturesome on the water as on the land. 



In the spring of 1878 we made a short walking tour together 

 through the Western Highlands. Starting from Ardentinny (sung 

 by Wordsworth) on the Clyde we walked to Inveraray, thence to 

 Dalmally at the head of Loch Awe and so on to Oban. We 

 had many adventures by the way, which provided us for long 

 afterwards with matter for jest and laughter. From Dalmally 

 we climbed Cruachan (on a Sunday !), and I remember, when we 

 were standing on the top admiring the magnificent landscape, 

 Ramsay drew my attention to an eagle soaring high above us, 

 the first, I think, either of us had ever seen. We descended from 

 Cruachan into the Pass of Brander, the scene of one of Bruce' s 

 most noted exploits and sacred ground to us on that account, 

 for we had been bred up in all the traditions of Scottish 

 patriotism. Whether under the stimulus of that feeling, I do not 

 know, but we thought to beguile the time by composing a rhyming 

 chronicle of our journey. The only couplet I can now recall was 

 one composed by Ramsay : 



' And in the Pass of Brander 

 The scenery grew grander,' 



and I think that is probably a fair specimen of the level to which 

 our poetic flight rose. An amusing incident took place at Oban. 



