105 



and there among the blocks yet are not these bare rocky masses 

 without a certain natural adaptation to produce warm harmonious 

 colouring. The three ingredients of granite have peculiar shades 

 and different reflective powers; oxide of iron, always present as a 

 constituent, passes in decomposing through various rich tints, and 

 the rocky surfaces themselves, smooth or rough, dry or moist, are 

 often dotted with small lichens. The result is a sober but pleasing 

 tint in keeping with the general expression of the mountain scenery; 

 it runs through various shades of gray, purple, and a tempered red 

 or orange. The effects seen from Cior-Mhor are finest in the after- 

 noon. Marvellous contrasts now lie athwart the stony ridges and 

 deep glens, adding a wondrous charm to the scenery* The sun has 

 gone down an hour since in the depths of Glen Rosa, and a deep 

 gloom has settled on the dark recesses of Glen Sannox. Sharp 

 shadows of the western ridge, showing a perfect profile of its jagged 

 crest, are slowly creeping up the western front of Goatfell, whose 

 summit is bathed in a glorious flood of orange light. Thrown back 

 from rock to rock in mellowed and harmonious tints, it maintains a 

 bright twilight along the base of the western ridge, by which we 

 must descend, and throughout the upper part of Glen Eosa, along 

 which our after path will lie. Taking a last survey of the sur- 

 rounding peaks in their gorgeous evening tints, and contrasting the 

 bold rocky foregrounds, now flooded with light, with the smoother 

 and fading outlines of the lower hills, we must hasten downwards* 

 The far off landscape we shall see better another day from the 

 summit of Goatfell. 



The low ridge or col connecting the base of Cior-Mhor with the 

 next height to the south, breaks down steeply, but .without pre- 

 cipices, towards Glen Eosa. We can descend easily at almost any 

 part of it. A few minutes will bring us to the junction of the two 

 burns, over the most rough and toilsome part of the long walk yet 

 before us. Farther our way lies nearly by the side of the Eosa 

 burn, through the moss and heather, till we reach the Garbh-Alt, 

 where our ascent began in the morning. The smooth carpet of the 

 glen is now beneath our feet, and we dismiss all fears of adders in 

 the path, which troubled us a little in the uncertain light of the last 

 hour. Emerging from the glen, and crossing the pretty burn by 

 the rustic bridge, we gain the Brodick side and Glenshant lane. In 

 twenty minutes more we are at the door of our comfortable inn, 

 and are soon seated at the welcome evening meal. It is pleasant to 

 talk over the incidents of our long walk ; they will awaken joyful 

 memories on wintry nights, years to come. 



p 



