WATERSHEDS. 



5 



into the wild rocky moorlands descending from the skirts of Ben 

 Wyvis, which constitute the general character of the eastern 

 side. These moors in their turn give way to the green pastures of 

 Strath Bran in the central region. The central mountains are, as 

 a rule, greener than either east or west, but higher than either. 

 On reaching the summit level, just beyond Achnasheen, he de- 

 scends to the western sea, through the wild rocky mountains of 

 the western seaboard. It is also to be noted that the cliff-faces 

 of mountains in this region are as a rule to the north-north-east 

 or north-west. 



The first group which demands our attention is that which 

 occupies the ground roughly defined by the Oykel on the north, 

 and Strath Dirrie on the south. 



Most of the summits of this group are of the ordinary plateau 

 form common to the central ranges of Scotland, or slightly dome- 

 shaped, the tops being mossy and stony when the mountains are 

 high enough to get beyond the ordinary limits of vegetation. In 

 many parts there are deep and precipitous corries, and a few sharp 

 and rocky peaks, which gain in importance by contrast with the 

 flowing lines of the hills around them. The highest, and at the 

 same time one of the most rugged of the group, is Beinn Dearg in 

 the Braemore deer-forest, 3547 feet in height. This mountain is 

 grandly precipitous on the north and north-east sides, and its 

 summit, in form a flattened dome, is, when seen from the north, 

 generally marked by a large patch of snow. The next in height 

 is Cona Mheall, situated north-east of Beinn Dearg, divided from 

 it by a corrie of great depth. The exact height of this mountain 

 is not given in the Ordnance Survey map, but cannot be less than 

 3200 feet. It is a fine ridgy mountain, rocky and wild all round. 

 Another top which deserves notice from its bold appearance goes 

 by the name of Creagan Duine on the Ordnance Survey map, but 

 is usually known as * Sgorr,' * The Peak' (about 2900 feet). A 

 glimpse of it is caught from the mail road near Oykel Bridge, 

 where its sharp summit is seen peering above the intervening moor- 

 lands. Other hills of this group are — Am Fraochagach, 3120 feet, 

 in Strath Vaich ; Cam Chuinneag, 2749 feet, above Diebidale ; and 

 Carn Bhren, 2080 feet, seen near Ardgay. 



