of Edinburgh, Session 1878 - 79 . 
161 
vener at a subsequent date walked across the moors from Ballachulish 
Hotel to Carroban hill, to see if there were any black granite boulders 
in that quarter. He fell in with several at a height of about 800 
feet above the sea, and he saw that boulders were thickly spread up 
the valley to the summit level, but unfortunately, he was prevented 
reaching them for examination on account of distance. 
It is worthy of remark, however, that in this side valley, 
running up from Glen Creran, grey granite boulders are also 
numerous, whilst in Glen Creran itself there are none. How, 
at this place the rocks in situ are slate rocks. The nearest 
mountain of grey granite is situated to the H.W., about four 
miles distant. A H.W. current would bring fragments of rock to 
the place where the Convener found them, but not to Glen Creran, 
at least to its lower parts. 
XIII. GLENCOE. 
This valley is quite as remarkable for objects of geological in- 
terest, as for picturesque scenery and for stirring historical deeds. 
It contains many phenomena of extreme importance, connected 
with the transport of boulders and the grinding down of rocks. 
The Convener began his examination of the glen, at “Alt na lay,” 
a place about 17 miles distant from Ballachulish Hotel, and about 
3 miles distant from King’s House. 
Having introduced himself to John Matheson, a young shepherd 
residing at “ Alt na Bay,” the Convener obtained his services as a 
guide for some distance down the glen. 
The first place visited was a gravel knoll, near Matheson’s house, 
having on it a cluster of boulders, the largest and uppermost being 
well seen from the coach road. Its size is 8 x 4 x 4 ft., and it consists 
of a hard clay slate similar to that of the neighbouring hills in 
the north. Underneath this boulder, there was one of smaller size, 
consisting of a red felspar, of which, as Matheson informed the 
Convener, there was also rock in the hills. But there were no hills 
within a quarter of a mile of this gravel knoll, and no cliffs from 
which the boulders on it could have fallen. The top of the knoll 
was about 30 feet above its base, and was of a somewhat conical 
shape. An examination of its side , showed numerous boulders, half 
buried in the gravel composing it. On the west side, there were from 
