THE EIVEE TAY. 



149 



but its tributaries afford plenty of excellent ground for salmon- 

 breeding. Indeed, in all its tributaries the Tay contains ample 

 accommodation for fisb. I have in my mind's eye some excellent 

 salmon-beds near Airlie Castle, on the Isla. The banks of the 

 river are overhung by foliage, and salmon sport industriously in 

 deep pools, resorting to the gravel at the proper season in order 

 to dig beds in which to deposit their eggs, and when in due 

 time these are vivified and grow from the fry to the parr state, 

 I have seen the youthful " natives " catching them in scores. 





SALMON-FISHING STATION AT WOODHAVEN ON TAY- 



The Tay deserves special honour, for it must rank as the 

 king of Scottish rivers, receiving as it does the tribute of so 

 many streams, and running its course through such a variety 

 of fiine scenery. Loch Tay is generally accounted the source 

 of this river, but if it be considered that the loch is chiefly fed 

 by the river Dochart, the source of this latter river is actually 

 the fountain-head of the Tay. The Dochart rises in the extreme 



