VALLEYS OF THE AREA. 



xxxvii 



plunging with the " roar of waters " into many a deep abyss, shot with 

 sunbeams and spanned by rain- or water-bows, past rich banks and 

 hanging natural gardens of fern and wildflowers ; and glide or ripple 

 more gently as their troubles cease through dewy or spray-wet 

 meadows and lonely haughs. All along their courses rich are 

 the botanical treasures displayed in their times and seasons, from 

 the high alpine flora of Ben Lawers, to the buttercup and daisy of 

 the mead ; from the gaunt remains of the old Caledonian pines 

 which here and there are still in evidence, to the gardens of the 

 valleys and the plains, and onwards to the sparse flora of the 

 sand-hills, or that of the more varied debris-slopes of the under- 

 cliffs of the rockier coast-lines, and the marine vegetation of the 

 foreshore ; from the dragon-catching " sundews " of the Moor of 

 Kannoch, to the introduced heather plants of Tents Muir in Fife. 



It is vain to attempt minute description amid such wealth of 

 loveliness or the marvels which present themselves at almost every 

 step in endless variety and ever-changing charm, and which reward 

 the searcher, whether he be deer-stalker or mountaineer, grouse- 

 shooter or even the pursuer of the humble " bunny." The artist 

 may enjoy them all ! The naturalist cannot fail in everyday 

 interest, in whatever branch he chooses ; and the botanist may 

 simply revel, with scarce restraint, from alpine height to rocky or 

 benty shore, where theTay has contributed, and ocean heaped up its 

 treasures in the sea-pools. 



Need I say more ? I think not ; because how many keen-eyed 

 men and women are there to whom at least the main pathways 

 of the tourist, the angler, and the mountaineer have not revealed 

 the greater portion of these gems of Highland scenery ? Many, 

 indeed, have seen, but perhaps not observed. To the latter I cannot 

 appeal. But many others — and I hope still the majority — have observed, 

 as they wended their devious ways among the towering mountain- 

 tops, and giddy screes, and grassy slopes, the heathery foot-hills or 

 the bracken-braes. Some have scrambled through the hoary rem- 

 nants of the old Caledonian pine woods — entomologist or sports- 

 man — tripping, it may be, at times upon a half-concealed old juniper 

 stump or block of moss-covered boulder; or have waded up the 

 mountain burns in successful pursuit of the speckled trout, or 

 " thrown his salmon-fly " far out upon the parent stream " herself." 



