228 SEPTEMBER 



duces a fair crop at the head stalker's house, which 

 is 500 feet lower. In fine weather, when the 

 inmates are all abroad, and the doors and windows 

 stand invitingly open, unexpected guests sometimes 

 make free of the premises. A young lady, entering 

 the smoking-room one day when the sportsmen were 

 out, heard a scuffle under the sofa. Believing it to 

 be one of the dogs, she looked to see which it was, 

 and found a grouse, which had made its way in 

 from the moor. On another occasion, a blue hare 

 was found strolling about the passages. 



It is a mighty solitude this, just on the water- 

 shed of Rannoch. The streams flowing west and 

 north find their way into Loch Linnhe, while those 

 turning eastward go to swell the Tummel and the 

 Tay. There is a foot and bridle path through the 

 forest, giving access from Eannoch to Glen Spean and 

 Fort William by the shores of Loch Treig ; but that 

 is even more deserted than of yore since the making 

 of the West Highland Railway. But one sees some 

 odd things here occasionally. Early one September 

 morning lately (1896) I was riding along Loch 

 Ossian on my way to the hill where I was to stalk. 

 There is a shred of old woodland beside that fair 

 lake ; the firs have all disappeared, but there remain 



