The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Thi'ou^h Da7'kest Inverness-shire. 633
Macdougall, interrogated as to probable geographical
position of shooting lodge, where my end lay, takes in with
broad sweep of arm some sixty miles of territory, and says
he believes it lies over there. I point out that " over there"
is, to say the least of it, vague. For the matter of that
Perth and Paris lie "over there." Can he not be more pointed?
Macdougall refuses to become more pointed, own private
opinion rapidly crystallizing into fixed belief is, that his
ignorance on this point is more profound than my own,
glean from him, however, that road may be struck about
half-a-mile on ;
very
comforting this about road ;
feel
more assured. Wish him good morning, and make fervent
promise to be back in time for what Macdougall calls the
" five o'clock." Turn up legs of trousers, collar of coat,
hoist umbrella, and en avant is the word.
Beginning of journey not too promising—very wet,
also windy. Wouldn't mind wind if there was less wet
wet everywhere. Air wet, heather wet, and where heather
is not, slimy mosses are. This last very difficult to walk
on. Surroundings very cheerless ; insides of barracks and
workshops may be all very well, but outsides foul and guttery.
Good place for health officer to construct report ; plenty ot
room for suggestions. Might for instance divert drain from
front door of barracks No. i, away from back door of
barracks No. 2. Might also have tinned meat tins more
picturesquely arranged. Tremendous quantity of them ;
never saw so many all at once. Geology here very simple ;
first conglomerate, then gutter, then empty meat tins.
J.
A. G.
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