THE ROMANCE OF POACHING IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND: as illustrated in the lives of John Farquharson and Alexander Davidson, the last of the free-foresters. By W. M'Combie Smith. 1982 Tideline Books edition.

(1904) 1982 new edition. 12mo (130 x 193mm). Pp164. B/w illustrations. Tan boards, spine titled in gilt.

"This epitaph to a breed of men, long since departed, is not merely concerned with the taking of the lowland rabbit or hare, partridge or pheasant, by stealthy means under the blanket of darkness; it concerns primarily, the poaching of the princely grouse and the majestic stag in broad daylight on open hillside without the aids available to the modern poacher." Chapters include: John Farquharson; Lonavey; Lost on the Grampians; A glorious twalt' o' August!; A Dundonian's lesson in deerstalking; Two days with John Farquharson; Athole gamekeepers cleverly outwitted; How they carried off the deer; An English sportsman's initiation; Sportsmen sold - gamekeepers made game of; Seven deer shot within a minute; Stalking the stalkers; Running the blockade; A wonderful dream; Minor incidents - bamboozled Glenshee gamekeepers, deer attacked by an eagle, two close shaves; Ranter's famous fox chase; All about 'Nell,' Farquharson's pointer; Alexander Davidson. A classic of nineteenth century deer poaching in the Scottish Highlands.