THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
of trees planted forty and fifty years ago at an elevation of 700 feet that 
are still of stunted growth. It is a curious fact that in certain areas of 
the north there are still found the roots of old Scots firs of large size up 
to elevations of 2,000 feet, but mostly at a lower level, which shows that 
the trees of the old Caledonian Forest were of large size, yet the fact remains 
that trees to-day cannot be induced to attain these proportions. Whether 
this is due to the advanced infertility of the soil or other causes we do not 
know. “A gradual change of climate,” says Mr Malcolm, “produced by 
less sunshine, much more rain, and more frequent storms of wet-bearing 
winds, which every Highlander and many scientists of the present day 
believe has occurred within the past couple of centuries in the North- 
western Highlands, and is even thought by some to be noticeable within 
living memory, seem to be the root cause of the lessened power of tree- 
growth.” In Scotland, too, except in very sheltered valleys, there are end- 
less difficulties to be faced by the planter, such as snow, which breaks 
the branches, violent gales, insect pests, damage by game and squirrels, 
and fires. All of these are serious matters which at any time may destroy 
the prospects of eventual profit. 
The following list is a fairly accurate one of all the Highland deer forests 
of any size. In it are not included a large number of general shootings 
on which a few stags are sometimes shot, and which may or may not be 
quite good deer -ground. The number of stags killed is only approximate, 
and is compiled from various sources. In many cases it is supplied by the 
owners, and does not necessarily imply that the number given are annually 
obtained. What constitutes a “ deer forest ” and what does not seems 
to be only a matter of opinion on the part of the owner. 
LIST OF SCOTTISH DEER FORESTS, 1913 
Name. 
County. 
No. of 
Stags. 
Proprietor. 
Area in 
Acres. 
Alti 
Highest. 
tude. 
Lowest. 
Aberarder . . . 
Inverness 
30 
Cluny MTherson 
6,320 
Abernathy or Dell . 
,, 
60 
DowagerCountessofSeafield 
26,000 
4,084 
690 
Abergeldie . . . 
Aberdeen 
— 
R. H. L. Gordon 
2,760 
2,437 
1,153 
Achanault & Strath- 
braan and Loch 
Rosque .... 
Ross and Cromarty 
90-100 
Sir A. Bignold, Bart 
30,000 
2,750 
394 
Achnacarry & Loch- 
arkaig .... 
Inverness 
60 
Lochiel 
23,360 
3,224 
93 
Affaric 
Ross and Cromarty 
80 
Heirs of Mrs Chisholm 
32,000 
— 
— 
Aline 
15 
Major Matheson 
8,774 
1,500 
Sea level 
Alladale .... 
Sutherland 
60 
Sir C. Ross, Bart 
17,000 
— 
— 
Altandown . . 
— 
Duke of Sutherland 
6,000 
1,423 
400 
76 
