The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

2 94 1^^^ Highland Monthly.
THE
SCENES OF LONG AGO.
[all rights reservku by the author.]
III.—GLENBELTANE.
house of Glenbeltane stood upon a height between
the converging streams of the Beltane and the
Goblin, and looked towards Lochgoy. On the banks of
these streanns. about their confluence, were visible some
narrow patches of cultivation, while along the shore of the
lake extended a pleasant meadow land. Dense was the
copsewood of alder that fringed the burns, concealing many
a pool and rapid of their bright waters under its curtain of
living green, that shot forth at frequent intervals into trees
of commanding size. Near the long winding shore, where
tlic soil was richer, there were many fine specimens of the
birch, the rowan, the wild geaii, and the willow, underneath
whose boughs the deep green grass grew luxur antly, inter-
spersed with wild flowers. 1 remember in particular a
beautiful species of the hyacinth that every year appeared
in one sheltered nook, and shed around a rare and exquisite
perfume. Here, for hours at a time, have I herded cattle
during the long days of summer and autumn. Well I knew
where the rasp bushes and the brambles in vain veiled their
delicious fruit among thorns, and leaves, and nettles, which
were, however, a formidable defence against bare feet. And
well I knew the alder bank: where the sweet nodules of the
prionan did most abound. That delightful region was a
favourite haunt of the honey gatherers. Chief among
these was the humble bee, who built her waxen mansion
under the turf, and, being of a placable disposition, never
liked to use her sting unless hard pressed ; and the moss
bee, whose fiery orange coat, typical of her temper and
furious attack, warned the wary, though longing, meddler,