Reminiscences. 69 



but we see no reason why, if the weather be 

 favourable, these months should be singled out. 

 The hotel accommodation at Aberfoyle is excel- 

 lent. In the early months you must engage 

 a boat beforehand : boatmen first-rate. Many 

 a happy day we have spent on Loch Ard 

 sometimes successful and sometimes much the 

 reverse ; but in any case there is a witchery 

 about the place that makes one enjoy himself 

 in spite of all cares. Mind and body recruit 

 their jaded energies, and get braced up to meet 

 the stern realities of life. 



In strong contradistinction, in this respect, 

 to Loch Ard, is LOCH LEVEN. In the latter, if 

 the angler is not catching fish, there is little of 

 the beautiful to commend itself to the senses. 

 The island on which the castle stands is pretty, 

 and as a historic ruin is well worthy of a visit, 

 but otherwise the scenery is very tame, and the 

 surroundings not entrancing. But since we 

 have drifted into speaking of Loch Leven, we 

 may as well tell of the sport which is to be had 

 there, and this, as is well known, is exception- 

 ally good. The quality of the fish is wonder- 

 ful ; and after reading the statistics of a year's 

 fishing last season something like 18,000 fish, 



