SCOTT : LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF TARBERT. 73 



Silurian age ; they are folded and twisted in every conceivable 

 way, and present the geologist with questions of exceeding 

 interest for solution. 



A considerable part of the village of East Tarbert stands 

 on a comparatively level piece of ground at the south-west 

 corner of East Loch Tarbert, but a great number of detached 

 cottages are built along the greater part of the south and west 

 sides of the loch, many of them occupying terraces on the 

 irregularly-rising rocky ground, so that altogether the place has 

 a rather picturesque appearance — the old castle ruins, which will 

 be referred to again, occupying a commanding position, adds 

 very much to the fine effect. Northward, up Loch Fyne side, 

 and westward along both sides of AVest Loch Tarbert, the 

 general prospect is better, for the rising ground along these 

 shores is fairly well wooded, which modifies greatly the desolate 

 aspect of the interior, where grey rocks and brown or purple 

 heather form a chequered but barren-looking landscape. 



Owing to the physical condition of the country there are 

 no rivers, no large burns (streams) even, for though one or two 

 —such as Avenaghillen Burn,* down the north side of West 

 Loch Tarbert — become during heavy rains roaring mountain 

 torrents ; in dry weather they dwindle to little better than 

 rivulets, and have to assume many a form ere they reach the 

 sea ; but rarely presenting anything like a habitat for the larger 

 lamellibranchs, or, in fact, for any of the aquatic molluscs. Of 



* Avenaghillen burn (Gaelic — Abhuin-nan-ghillean, the youths' river). 

 The following legend is said to be the origin of the name : — " On a certain 

 occasion five brothers were journeying on foot along the shore of the West 

 Loch. On their way they were met by an old woman who was noted for 

 the power of her evil wishes. Having probably displeased her in some way, 

 she rather ungraciously informed them that they would never reach the end 

 of their journey, and accordingly as they were crossing this stream" (which 

 was very likely flooded by recent heavy rains) || "they one after another 

 slipped from the stepping-stones and were drowned." — Tarbert Past and 

 Present; by Dugald Mitchell, M.B.C.M., p. 134. 



II Without some such explanation as here given it is difficult to imagine how such a 

 catastrophe could happen. — T.S. 



