CH. XXXII. THE BEAULY AND THE FINDHORN. 191 



reinvigorated and increase in size with a rapidity 

 which would be incredible had it not been fully 

 ascertained by frequent and specific experiment. 



On the east coast of Ross-shire, between Suther- 

 land and Inverness-shire, there are few streams of 

 any size or value. 



The Beauly is a noble stream as well for the 

 angler as for the lover of natural beauty, being sur- 

 rounded with most magnificent scenery. 



But above all rivers, ^'- ante omnes" the Find- 

 horn holds with me the highest place, not only for 

 the abundance of its fish, but for the varied country 

 and beautiful scenery through which it passes, 

 from the dreary brown and grey heights of the 

 Monaghleahd mountains, at its source, to the flat 

 and fertile plains of Morayshire, where it empties 

 itself into the salt waters ; and, beyond a doubt, 

 the beauty of the scenery and banks of the Find- 

 horn, for several miles, is not to be equalled in 

 Scotland. Most interesting, too, and varied are 

 the wild animals and birds which frequent its rocks 

 and banks, from the stag and eagle, which add to 

 the wild grandeur of its source, to the wild swan 

 and grey goose, which feed at its junction with the 

 bay. 



I do not know that the Findhorn can be called a 

 first-rate angling river ; for, although frequently 



