EXCURSION II. 83 



this plateau our path homeward is by the tortuous lane 

 which enters on the Lamlash road immediately below the 

 Free Church. It pursues its winding way between fragrant 

 hedge- rows, through birky places, by burns, past cottages 

 with their corn-fields and meadows, and affords besides, in 

 its distant outlook, much to beguile the way. The evening 

 tints of rich purple-gray on the northern mountains, beyond 

 which the sun is now going down, and the profile of the 

 rugged peaks against the golden sky behind, are glorious to 

 look upon ; the light is strong yet on the peaks of Ben-Yim 

 and the Cobbler, on Benlomond and the mountains of Aber- 

 foyle; the broad shadow of Maoldon falls dark athwart the 

 sea ; but beyond this a flood of light comes streaming down 

 the northern channel, and brings out strongly the gray rocks 

 of Garrochhead and the Cumbrays, and the lovely glades 

 amid the woods of Fairlie. The turrets of Brodick Castle 

 are yet gilded by the sunlight which falls in broad sheets 

 across the lovely bay, whose glassy expanse is crowded with 

 fishing parties. Before we can reach our stately but pleasant 

 inn, the steamer has rounded Merkland Point, disappeared 

 iu the shadow of the hills, emerged again into the " lanes of 

 light," and threaded her way through the fleet of boats. 

 Already the fair throng has left the landing-place, scattered 

 now in gleeful groups along the various roads. 



