238 



1'nrt III. — Thirteenth Annval Report 



shores of the Outer Hebrides. Unfortunately, owing to the unfavourable 

 state of the weather at the time, little could be done toward acquiring the 

 information desired. Rather than that the time should be altogether 

 wasted, it was decided to take advantage of the opportunity to make an 

 examination of the fresh water lochs of Barra. A day was also devoted 

 to the examination of three of the principal fresh water lochs of North 

 Uist. Mr Robert Duthie, Fishery Officer, who also proceeded to Barra 

 to assist in the same inquiry, rendered me very effective help in the 

 examination of the lochs. I have also to acknowledge my indebtedness 

 to Mr Donaldson, the Fishery Officer stationed at Barra. He endeavoured 

 in every way he could, consistent with his official duties, to make our 

 examination of the lochs successful. 



When any of the lochs were to be visited, our outfit usually consisted 

 of a hand-net, a tow-net, several bottles, and 60 to 100 fathoms of strong 

 but light cord, — for the lochs were examined both by hand-net and tow- 

 net. As we did not have the use of a boat for working the tow-net on 

 any of the lochs visited, it was our custom to select for work those parts 

 of the loch where the outline of the shore was more or less angular. One 

 of us would then take hold of the tow-net, to which one end of the cord 

 had been attached ; while the other would, with the cord in his hand, 

 work round the shore as far as the length of the cord would admit of. In 

 this way a considerable space of water, more or less free from obstruction, 

 would be obtained through which the tow-net could be dragged. On a 

 signal being given, the one holding the net would let it go, while the 

 other pulled it through the water : the net had to be pulled quickly, 

 especially in shallow water, else it would sink and get filled with mud, 

 or perhaps catch on stones at the bottom. 



Many good gatherings were obtained in this way, and as a consequence 

 the examination of the lochs of Barra was fairly successful. 



Several of the Barra lochs contain trout, and are frequently fished 

 during the summer months, but they are usually fished from the shore. 



Sinclair's Loch (or Loch M6r), Loch na Doirlinn, and Small 

 Loch near Loch na Doirlinn. 



Near the hamlet of Tangusdale, and at the foot of the cliffs that form 

 the northern boundary of the mass of high rocky ground known as Ben 

 Tangaval, are situated the three small lochs mentioned above, the east- 

 most of which, in dry weather, is little better than a morass. They are all 

 within a short distance of the sea, and not much above sea level. It is 

 asserted that sometimes during high water of spring tides the sea flows 

 into Loch M6r, especially if there happens to be a fresh on-shore wind at 

 the time. At the date when these lochs were examined, However, the 

 water was quite pleasant to the taste and no trace of brackishness could 

 be observed in it, so that evidently there had been no inflow of the sea 

 for a considerable period previous to our visit. At a short distance from 

 the east end of Loch M6r, — which is the eastmost and largest of the 

 three, — is a small island containing the remains of a square keep or 

 stronghold of some kind, a considerable part of the walls of which still 

 exist.* The water around the island is of considerable depth, and, so far 

 as could be ascertained, this appears to be the deepest part of the loch. 

 The bottom at this part consists of fine mud, and large eels are said to be 

 sometimes obtained here. During the summer months beds of aquatic 

 plants — Littoreila, Pond weeds, Rushes, &c. — occupy the sha llower parts 

 near the west end of the loch. A short distance northwestward of Loch 



* This ruin is known by the name of Dun Mhic Leoid. 



