582 GLENS CANLOCHEN AND DOLE. [Octobev, 



cradle of the infant waters of the Isla^ -which joins the Tay a 

 little to the west of Cupar- Angus, in Fifeshire, — while the other, 

 I. e. Glen Dole, forms the western fork of the valley of South 

 Esk, which it joins about three miles above the hamlet of Clova. 

 • My acquaintance with these two glens is rather limited, being 

 only the experience of two visits, in the months of July and 

 August, last year; but perhaps I may be able to afford some 

 useful information to others, who may hereafter turn their steps 

 northwards, as well as confirm by my own recorded observations, 

 the habitats already discovered for the rare plants of those glens, 

 if I throw together some of the notes made on those two occasions. 

 In the first place, I must express my firm conviction that 

 Castleton of Braeraar is a very much better starting-point for Can- 

 lochen, and I might almost add, for Glen Dole as well, than the 

 Kirktoun of Clova, which is usually chosen by botanists. The 

 accommodation at the first place is infinitely superior in every re- 

 spect, and if a car be taken either to the foot of Glass Meal, or 

 to Loch Callater, according- as Canlochen or Glen Dole is the 

 point aimed at, the actual distance to be travelled on foot is very 

 much lessened. We will suppose ourselves then en route for 

 Canlochen, and seated in a car which we have engaged to take 

 ■us the first long drag of six miles up Glen Cluny. We leave the 

 car at the narrow bridge where the coach-road crosses the Cluny 

 water for the last time, in the ascent of the pass. Here the road 

 winds away to the right, while we hold due south, following the 

 course of the burn which comes tumbling down from Glass Meal 

 in our front. The walk to the top occupies a good hour, but we 

 beguile the way by gathering some choice plants on our road, 

 — such as Veronica alpina, Epilobium alpinuni and alsinifolium, 

 Sibbaldia procumbens, and the var. alpinum of Equisetum palustre, 

 all of which fringe the margin of the burn, — while higher up, on 

 the flat swampy table-land, occur Salix ,herbacect^2i\\aPhleum com- 

 mutatum (Gaud.). In this same ho^ Carex rariflora and '^agua- 

 tilis have been gathered more than once, though we did not meet 

 with either. This is a good beginning, and augurs well for our 

 reaping a good harvest when we fairly get upon the ground. We 

 cross the well-beaten track which leads from Glen Callater into 

 Glen Beg, and thence to the Spital of Gleushee, — and in a few 

 steps more Glen Canlochen bursts upon our view. And what a 

 view it is ! T have traversed a good many Highland glens in 



