Also we saw the Stones of Stennis, which, as Druidical remains, rank with Stonehenge.
We stopped on our way at the bridge that crosses the outlet of the loch to the sea, to try for sea trout. The tide water comes up to the bridge, and a little beyond, and from the bridge to the sea was about a mile.
On the rise and fall of the tide we landed six sea trout weighing 6-1/2lb., the largest 2-3/4lb.
On the fall of the tide the sea trout stopped taking, and then the sillocks came as fast as possible. We had seventy-nine of them in little over an hour.
I was very much pleased with Orkney. The land was good, and the climate was better than that of the mainland.
There were some grouse, and, as far as I could learn, the best moor was in Harray parish, where we had been fishing.
The moor was a common, and the whole of the commoners joined in granting a lease to the tenant of the shooting. I think the rent was £35 a-year, and he took off about 200 brace of grouse, and a really considerable number of snipe and plover, and I believe it was true that there was no disease. The game sold for more than paid the rent.
Season 1876.
Pretty much a repetition of the previous season; grouse were increasing fast, but none to spare for the gun.