OF SUTHERLAND AND CAITHNESS. 
23 
side, we find high ground all along the south-eastern part of the 
march dividing the two counties, one of the highest points being 
Cnoc-na-neranach, or " The Irishman," as it is generally called, and 
we have on the same range an altitude of over 1300 feet close to 
the sea above Helmsdale. Most striking of all are the two Bens 
(Iriam, rising as they do in solid masses, straight from the wet 
flat moorland that characterises that part of the county, giving 
them an appearance of height greater than that they actually 
possess, which in itself is considerable, being close on 2000 feet. 
At one time both these hills and " The Irishman," before mentioned, 
were inhabited by ptarmigan, but they have now been extinct 
there for some years, though as late as 1881 a single ptarmigan 
was shot on some flow-ground near the first-mentioned hills, and 
a bird, probably the same, had been seen on one of them during 
the previous season. 
South-west of the Bens Griam, and second highest of the 
Sutherland hills, is Ben Glib rick, 3164 feet. From its rounded 
shape it does not convey the idea of grandeur and height possessed 
by many smaller hills, which have more rugged and rocky out- 
lines. It is haunted by every bird and beast that is dear to the 
Highland sportsman and naturalist, and was at one time one of 
the best, if not the best, hill for ptarmigan in the county. Within 
a few feet of the top is a spring of the coldest water. At the foot 
of its eastern slope is Loch Choire, the head-waters of the Mallert 
(Mheal aird ^) river, one of the principal feeders of tbe Naver. 
Looking towards the east, from Loch Ghoire, the rounded group 
of hills that form Ben Armine rise, terminating in two high tops, 
Craigmore and Graigbeg, the former being 2306 feet in height. 
Ptarmigan here are fast dying out, very few being seen now. 
The eastern side is fairly precipitous, and is at times haunted by 
a pair of golden eagles, which birds are strictly preserved by the 
lessee of the shootings ; the western side is well wooded on its lower 
slopes, especially about Coir-na-fearn, a very favourite resort of 
deer. Stretching all round on the east and north are vast tracts 
1 In Ordnance Survey Map — inch scale — this is given " Abhainn a Mhail 
Aircl,'' correctly Abhuin a Mhpfd Aird. 
