EXCURSION XII. 161 



ascend to Castle Abhael, we must pass north down the 

 chasm, and then ascend towards the west. Here the glen 

 and ridges are seen in a new aspect. "When the morning 

 mists are hovering around Goatfell, and rolling into the 

 depths of Glen Sannox, now hiding and now revealing the 

 mountain with the ridges and peaks adjoining, the scene 

 from the summit of Castle Abhael is extremely grand. 

 Various ways are open to us by which to return. \Ve were 

 once surprised here by a thick fog with heavy rain ; and 

 guided partly by a compass, and partly by keeping as close 

 as possible to the junction of the coarse and fine granite, we 

 found our way safely along the edge of the great circular 

 ridge which runs from the north-west base of Castle Abhael, 

 in the direction of Glen Dhu, at the upper part of North 

 Sannox. But the convenience of our companion, with his 

 load of " black crystals," must now be consulted in regard to 

 our homeward route. 



