GEOLOGY, 



GEOLOGY OP THE ISLAND OP EIGG. 

 By JAMES DURHAM F.G.S. 



(With a Plate). 



AMONG the varied and picturesque, though sometimes gro- 

 tesque, forms assumed by the islands of the Inner Hebrides, 

 perhaps none is so striking as that of Eigg, especially when seen 

 from the south or east. From either point of view the Scuir, a 

 stupendous wall of rock, is seen running along the higher part of 

 the southern end of the island, its bold and precipitous front 

 suggesting one of these old lines of fortification which are some- 

 times seen encircling and crowning lofty rocky eminences ; but 

 beside the gigantic proportions of the Scuir of Eigg all such 

 structures are utterly insignificant. 



Remarkable as the scenery of Eigg is, it is far surpassed in 

 interest by its geology, or, in other words, its history, as told by 

 these rocks whose peculiar forms so readily arrest our attention. 



Eigg is situated about midway between the great islands of 

 Mull and Skye ; and is about 7 miles from Arisaig, the nearest 

 point on the mainland. It is about 5 miles long; and ranges from 

 1 J to three miles in width. The highest point in the island, the 

 top of the Scuir, is about 1,300 feet above the sea. From the 

 base of the Scuir to the middle of the island the ground slopes 

 gently down ; and to the north of the road to Laig it again rises 

 until the highest northern part somewhat exceeds the height of the 

 base of the Scuir. Round most part of the shores of the island 

 the rocks rise precipitously from the sea ; but in the low middle 

 part the ascent, either trom the landing place on the east side or 

 the beautiful bay of Laig on the west, is gentle and easy. The 

 steep cliffs which thus almost completely surround the island are 

 in many places extremely grand and imposing, and, at the same 



