The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Throtigh Darkest Inverness-shire. 677
When we " struck " the river Spean the scenery proved
indescribable. This river's course— probably the most
varied and picturesque in Scotland—here runs for over a
mile in a very contracted channel, so contracted that the
otherwise broad stream tears down with terrible energy in
a scries of whirlpools, cataracts, and waterfalls, which, by
and b\c, when the railwa)' is finished, will be one of the
sights of the country. Sam declared that " it's enough to
make m}- pipe go out every time I sees it."
Interesting also to watch the progress of the works here
and there, to note the extraordinary number of bridges
o\-erhead and under, of culverts and di\ersions of roads and
streams ;
to watch the ri\-en hill-side rocks dripping with
damp, like blood out of fresh wounds.
Comforting also to be getting nearer and nearer to
civilisation, to food, and to dr)- clothes.
J.
A. G.