SCOTLAND 235 



lochs in this neighbourhood are full of trout, pike, 

 perch, dace, chub, and the like. 



The river Ayr springs out of the hills in the vicinity 

 of Muirkirk, and has a run of thirty miles. There is 

 good fishing in it, as well as in its feeders, the Garpel, 

 the Oreenock, the L/ugar, and the Coyle. 



The entire valley of the Ayr is remarkably beautiful 

 and interesting ; and the interest which a tourist feels 

 in passing through it is greatly enhanced by the recol- 

 lection of its being the birthplace of Burns, and where 

 he spent the larger half of his existence. It was at 

 Mauchline, near the river Ayr, that he first saw his 

 " Highland Mary," of whom he beautifully sings — 



" Ye banks, and braes,, and streams around 



The Castle 0' Montgomerie, 

 Green be your woods and fair your flowers, 



Your waters never drumlie. 

 There summer first unfaulds her robes, 



And there they langest tarry, 

 For there I took ray last farewell 



Of my sweet Highland Mary. 



How sweetly bloomed the gay green birk, 



How rich the hawthorn's blossom. 

 As underneath the fragrant shade 



I clasped her to my bosom." 



THE NOBTH DIVISION 



We have now run over the chief rivers and lochs of 

 the south division of Scotland, and we purpose com- 

 mencing a like ramble over those of the north division. 

 This, however, is no very easy task, looking at the 

 limited space we have to devote to the matter ; for the 

 angling waters are here so numerous, and all so inter- 

 esting, that an entire volume devoted to the subject 

 could scarce suffice to do them anything like ample 

 justice. 



To reach the main fishing waters in the heart of the 

 country, as well as those situated in remote Highland 



