CHAPTER XXXVIIl 



THE ORCHY 



Rises in the Black Mount Forest, and after a run of ten miles, 

 in which it receives the waters of several large burns, it expands 

 into Loch TuUa, some two and a half miles in length, and rather over 

 a half in width, and covering an area of six hundred and ninety- 

 seven acres. The river has the peculiarity of flowing from nearly 

 the middle of the south-west side of the loch, and from this point 

 it has a further run of fifteen miles, until it loses itself in the waters 

 of Loch Awe at Kilchurn Castle. 



The angling begins where the river leaves the loch, and extends 

 downwards for some ten miles. Nearly half-way between Loch 

 TuUa and Loch Awe there is a heavy fall which separates the river 

 into upper and lower sections, and the former is again divided into 

 two fisheries, the topmost being the Black Mount water, extending 

 from Loch TuUa to the Bridge of Orchy, which Lord Breadalbane 

 preserves strictly and keeps exclusively for the use of his pretty 

 Forest Lodge on the northern shore of Loch Tulla, and on this 

 section are the Island and Elbow Pools — perhaps two of the best 

 on the river. The lower beat from the bridge to the top of the falls 

 goes with the Inveroran Hotel. 



Below the falls, the angling of the right bank goes with the 

 Craig shootings, while the Dalmally Hotel has the privilege on 

 the opposite side. In April, May, and June nearly the whole of the 

 fish remain in the pools below the falls, and as many as a dozen in a 

 day have been taken, although not of late years. 



There is but little to tempt fish to stay in the lower four or 

 five miles of the river, for it is chiefly shallow, fast-running water ; 

 but I do not think there would be much difficulty or any great 

 expense incurred in making artificial pools by dams, in which fish 

 coming into the river in a rapidly falling water would be glad to 

 halt until a fresh rain came, the meanwhile giving anglers a chance 

 of catching them. 



The Falls of Orchy are fully twenty feet in height, with almost 

 a sheer drop, which for many years barred further ascent ; as soon, 

 however, as ladder-making was discovered, a most efficient one was 

 made in the rock of the right bank, up which, in suitable water, 

 fish now pass with ease to the upper reaches and Loch Tulla. I have 

 not been able to find out what effect this had on the angling below 

 the falls and on the general welfare of the river, but if the results 



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