To my friends and neighbours, Lady Anne Murray of Loch Carron and Mrs. Schroder of Attadale, my grateful thanks are due--to the former for the photograph, “Winter Sunshine--Wild Geese at the foot of Applecross Hills,” and to the latter for the water-colour drawing, “An Autumn Day--Loch Carron, looking West.” To my friend, Miss Diana Darling, I am indebted for the photograph, “Among the Western Islands,” and to my son-in-law, Mr. Noel Wills, for the pencil sketch of Donald McIver, my gamekeeper and constant companion on the hill for many years. I wish to thank Mr. W. R. Bousfield, K.C., F.R.S., for helpful criticism from the scientific point of view on my article “Birds of Fastest Flight in the British Isles,” and Mr. A. D. Bateson, K.C., for his kindness in reading the book in manuscript. In conclusion, I should like to say that, having derived so much pleasure from reading the experiences of others who love sport and natural history, I venture to hope that these pages may bring back to some of my readers recollections of their own delightful days amid the High Hills. H. F. STROMEFERRY, ROSS-SHIRE, _August 7, 1923_. CONTENTS PAGE I. THE CHARM OF SPORT AMID THE HIGH HILLS 1 II. STALKING IN ITS MOST ENJOYABLE FORM 6 III. A GREAT FISH AND A GREATER FISHERMAN 12 IV. THE BIRDS OF FASTEST FLIGHT IN THE BRITISH ISLES 23 V. A GOOD DAY IN THE FOREST OF COIGNAFEARN 71 VI. A STALKER’S PERIL 81 VII. THE LUCK OF SALMON FISHING 85 VIII. A STORMY WEEK IN THE FOREST 97 IX. A SALMON LOCH IN SUTHERLAND 113 X. THE HOMING INSTINCTS OF WOUNDED DEER 123 XI. THE METHOD BY WHICH EAGLES AND HAWKS SECURE THEIR PREY 136 XII. INSTANCES OF WOUNDED STAGS ATTACKING STALKERS 155 XIII. TRAPPED 165 XIV. THE LAST STALK OF THE SEASON 170 XV. THE LOCH PROBLEM 182 XVI. THE SURGEON OF THE DEER FOREST 197 XVII. THE SECRET OF THE HIGH HILLS 215 INDEX 221 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS * _Those marked with an asterisk are in colour._ *September Snow, Loch Carron, Ross-shire. _Frontispiece_ By Finlay Mackinnon. FACING PAGE