AN IMPERIAL 333 



was not all it might have been, for he had no right to 

 be working at the fence at that time of year. On the 

 way home we stalked and shot a rotten-horned stag, 

 so as to prevent his perpetuating his breed. Such 

 stags should be destroyed in every forest. The next 

 day I bid adieu to Rhidoroch. The following year 

 the big stag we tracked was killed by Captain Starkie. 

 It weighed 22 stone, and had a fine head of fourteen 

 tines, so that when it was seen by the man working at 

 the fence it was merely a royal, and so perhaps it was 

 as well that it was allowed to live and erow into an 

 imperial, and I heartily congratulated Captain Starkie 

 on his good fortune. 



The drive back was most enjoyable, and I was able 

 to see the latter part of the first day's drive, which I 

 could not do then, as the light had failed. 



During the time I was at Rhidoroch, when spying 

 from the south side over a large sheep-farm called 

 Drumrunie, it occurred to me that if this ground 

 were cleared of sheep it would form a very valuable 

 addition to Rhidoroch. McLeay informed me that 

 this was not only feasible, but that the farmer would 

 sell his sheep and forego his lease for ^700. I longed 

 to be able to afford to avail myself of such a chance. 

 I afterwards mentioned the fact to a friend of mine, 

 Major Boyd, well-known in the Highland forests ; and 

 whether he circulated the information or no I cannot 

 say, but soon afterwards this grand sheep-walk was 

 cleared, and formed into about 40,000 acres of forest, 

 which gives a return of about fifty stags. Mr. Sydney 

 Piatt has taken a lease of it, and Rhidoroch in the 

 Coygach district in Ross-shire. The lodge is eight 

 miles from Ullapool, the scenery unsurpassed ; the sea. 



