FISHING ON SALT-WATEB LOCHS 



THE sea-loch has a character peculiarly its own no 

 wooded islands, no green or pebbly margin, like its 

 inland sister, except perhaps for a short time at full-tide ; 

 and the dark mountain more often rises abruptly from 

 its side in craggy and bold relief. It is a novel sight for 

 the traveller, whom the refreshing evening breeze has 

 tempted out of the neighbouring inn, at the landlord's 

 recommendation, to try his fishing-luck with such a clumsy 

 rod and tackle as he had never dreamt of before. The 

 awkward-looking herring " skows," well matched with 

 their black or red sails, scudding in all directions ; the 

 nasal twang of the Gaelic, as they pass the bow or stern 

 of his boat, shooting their nets; the hardy, weather-beaten 

 face of the Highlander, always civil in his reply, and 

 courteous in pointing out the most likely ground to the 

 " stranger " reiterating his injunctions (when his stock 

 of English extends no further) " to keep on the lyroo" 

 yet plainly showing that he expects the like courtesy in 

 return, and that the least slip on your part would imme- 



