120 THE CRAIG OP AILSA. 



a detailed account of its appearance, for this is not so much my object as 

 to endeavour to "point out to you the appearance and habits of some of its 

 tenants, as frequent opportunities have enabled me to do so. As an outline 

 however of its general expression may not be unacceptable, I will risk it, were 

 it for nothing else than to point out to you the way to the Cairn; for the 

 ascent of the rock can only be accomplished in one way with safety, and that 

 is after landing near the small house occupied by the keeper; you take a 

 south-western direction along the shore for upwards of a quarter of a mile, 

 ■where a narrow and steep path will be observed leading up to the ruins 

 of an old chapel, situated at an elevation of at least four hundred and fifty 

 feet, the history of which appears to be perfectly unknown. 



I am not aware that any date has hitherto been discovered to clear up 

 the mystery; and the only remnant which may yet establish the tradition, 

 is a shield in relief, built into the outside wall of the tower, upon which 

 there appear to be three roses engraved. A number of silver and copper coins 

 were discovered about twenty years ago, by some fishermen, upon the beach 

 below the chapel: had they been preserved they might have assisted in 

 clearing up the historie, but the scramble which ensued for them prevented 

 that. The path here wends round the back of it, and immediately takes 

 the hill amongst a luxuriant growth of vegetation, springing from a rich 

 deposit of black moss, where the Scarlet Catchfly, and other wild flowers, are 

 in great profusion. The Tree Mallow arrives at great perfection, and Boor 

 Tree is abundant around part of the base. Nettles, to which I would call 

 the attention of tourists, should be carefully avoided, as they are certainly 

 the most wicked and poisonous that I have ever stumbled upon. This appear- 

 ance of soil continues for about one hundred feet, till you reach a delicious 

 spring close to the path; the ascent shortly afterwards becomes very rugged, 

 and the immense accumulated masses of rock, scattered in wild confusion, 

 continue till you reach the summit. 



It is only from this point, and by descending to the front of the northern 

 and western precipices, that the extent and appearance of the Craig can be 

 thoroughly understood. The circumference of it is estimated at fully three 

 miles, and at low water it is quite possible to make a circuit of it on foot, 

 but I would never recommend any one afflicted with gout, or using crutches, 

 to make the attempt. The western side of it presents an extraordinary 

 appearance of dilapidation, from the gigantic masses that have fallen from 

 time to time, and now lie piled upon each other to a height, in some places, 

 of at least three hundred feet. 



The inequalities produced on this precipitous front, constitute the only 

 breeding-places of the Solan Goose, which, in the month of June, can be 

 seen hatching in thousands; as it invariably selects the projecting ledges and 

 ridges for this purpose, every other nook and crevice sufliciently large to 

 contain a nest, (I ought to say an egg,) is sure to be occupied by either 

 the Razor-bill, {Aha torda,) or the Guillemot, (Uria troile,) between which 



