Men of Muscle, and the Highland Games of Scotland, etc.

G. 1\1. ROSS, OF LAIRG. I N looking over the records of famous Scotti h athletes it is surprising to find from what a variety of trades the champions have sprung, and also what a number have, at some time or other, served in the police force. The subject of this article, George M'Kenzie Ross, is no excep– tion; he has served in the police, as he has in many other widely different calling , and his career will be found more varied than that of any yet dealt with.* Ross was born at Aultryne, in the parish of Lairg, Sutherlanclshirc, 2nd March, 1859. His father was a gamekeeper on Reay Forest for the late Duke of Westminster. Like almost every High– land lad, George soon began to practice putting, and at the age of 15 engaged in his first competition, and won second place for 32ft. 6in. with a 16lb. stone. The games were held at Ardross Castle, Sir Kenneth l\fathieson's seat, and were organised in honour of the young laird's coming of age. George was the proudest lad in the Highlands at carrying off a prize on such an occasion. To say that this small victory encouraged Ross to practice would be super– fluous; he says himself that he spent more time over putt– ing the stone during that year and the next than he has done during the remainder of his life. Passing over many other local contests, we must now follow Ross's fortune, which led him to Cardiff. He was there apprenticed to a draper, but the smell of cloth and calico was too big a change from the mountains of Lairg, and two years behind the counter was enough for George. '* Ross's record appeared early among the articles. 49 D