CHAP, xxii.] THE FINDHORN RIVER. 177 



CHAPTER XXII. 



The Findhorn River Excursion to Source Deer-stalking Shepherds 

 Hind and Calf Heavy Rain Floods Walk to Lodge Fine Morning 

 Highland Sheep Banks of River Cottages. 



I 00 not know a stream that more completely realizes all one's 

 ideas of the beauty of Highland scenery than the Findhorn, 

 taking it from the spot where it is no more than a small rivulet, 

 bubbling and sparkling along a narrow gorge in the far-off re- 

 cesses of the Monaghliahd mountains, down to the Bay of Find- 

 horn, where its accumulated waters are poured into the Moray 

 Firth. From source to mouth, this river is full of beauty and 

 interest. 



On a bright August day, the 6th of the month, I joined a friend 

 in a deer-stalking expedition, near the source of the Findhorn, 

 in the Monaghliahd. We went from near Inverness to our 

 quarters. For the greatest part of our way our road was over 

 a flat though elevated range of drear)' moor, more interesting to 

 the eye of a grouse-shooter than to any one else. When within 

 a few miles of the end of our journey, the Findhorn came in 

 sight, |>assing like a silver stripe, edged with bright green, 

 through the brown mountains, and sparkling brightly in the 

 evening sun. The sides of the hills immediately overhanging 

 the river are clothed with patches of weeping-birch and juniper, 

 with here and there a black hut perched on a green knoll, dotted 

 with groves of the rugged and ancient-looking birch-trees. About 

 these solitary abodes, too, were small patches of oats and potatoes. 

 The mavis with its joyous note, and the blackbird's occasional 

 full and rich song, greeted us as we passed through these wooded 

 tracts. Sometimes a wood-pigeon would crash through the 

 branches close to us as we wound round some corner of the 

 wood. 



Having arrived at our destination, we made ounelves as com- 

 fortable as we could, und retired to rest. 



K 



