Account of Harris. 141 



highest ground in the Outer Hebrides, and appears to be some^ 

 what upwards of 3000 feet above the sea. This mountain 

 range is crossed by several deep valleys, on the sides of which, 

 and in other places, are some of the most magnificent rocks to be 

 seen in Scotland. The pass of Miavag presents a terraced pre- 

 cipice about 1000 feet high ; and in the Glen of Ulladil, there 

 is a rock, of not much less elevation, at one place overhanging 

 its base many yards. These mountains are in general bare and 

 rocky. The soil is universally peat of different varieties, and 

 the vegetation consists chiefly of heath, with carices, junci, 

 scirpi, and an abundance of lichens. In the whole of this tract 

 there is not a piece of good arable land of the extent of four 

 acres. There are several lakes in the valleys, at various alti- 

 tudes, and of various sizes, none exceeding two miles in length. 

 The water of all these lakes is of a deep-brown colour, as is 

 that of the numerous rills and brooks which descend from the 

 mountains. There is at present no wood, although the roots 

 and stumps of the common fir are seen in many places. At the 

 eastern extremity of the range is the low, swampy, and heathy 

 island of Scalpay, on the point of which, that projects farthest 

 into the Minch, is built a lighthouse ; and at the western ex- 

 tremity, the high and rocky island of Scarp, both separated by 

 a very narrow channel. There are many other small islands, es- 

 pecially on the eastern side, which it is not necessary to enume- 

 rate. The shores are rocky, but in general low. Many of the 

 harbours are excellent ; those of Scalpay, more generally known 

 among mariners by the name of Glass, are well known, as well 

 as East Loch Tarbert ; but there are others equally good to the 

 west of Tarbert, and in fact round the whole district. This di- 

 vision is in the country termed Na Beannibh, i. c. the moun- 

 tains. It is also called the Forest, not probably so much on 

 account of its having been formerly wooded, as because it was 

 the resort of great numbers of red deer. 



The other, or southern division of the mainland of Harris, 

 commences at the isthmus above mentioned, which in many 

 maps is erroneously made the boundary between Harris and 

 Lewis, and extends to the channel which separates Harris from 

 North Uist. It is entirely mountainous, ])ut the mountains are 

 not so high as those of the Forest, the most elevated, Konavnl, 



