324 Fortrose and Rosemarkie. [Sess. 
the quarries of old red sandstone made famous by the labours 
of Hugh Miller. There the stone is mostly of a pure grey 
colour, but along the central plateau sandstone occurs of a deep — 
red colour, as well as grey streaked with red. All along the 
rocky beach there is considerable scope for the study of marine é 
flora and fauna. Some interesting shells were picked up, as — 
the dwarf dog whelk (Nassa pygmea), plentiful; cowries — 
(Cyprea europea), scarce; and a few conelets (Bela rufa and — 
B. turricula). 
A small stream which enters the sea at Rosemarkie comes | 
down from a very romantic den. It is deep, rocky, and beau- 
tifully wooded, and well deserves its name, the “ Fairy Glen,’ 
presenting, as it does, the most charming scenery in the dis- — 
trict. Near the head of the glen there are two pretty water- 
falls, the banks and rocks all around being clothed with ferns, — 
mosses, and many others of Flora’s treasures. From the high ~ 
ground on either side of the glen magnificent panoramic views — 
are obtained of land and sea. Opposite Rosemarkie the hill, — 
descending with a rapid slope, ends abruptly in a broad per- 
pendicular cliff of red boulder clay, about 100 feet in height, 
streaked with horizontal seams of sand, in which a great — 
colony of jackdaws have made their homes. A little way up 
the glen, on the opposite side of the stream, there is a remark- 
able assemblage of cliffs and pyramids of the same material, 
about 200 feet in height, the remains of a vast accumulation — 
of boulder clay, which has been worn and carved into many ~ 
strange and fantastic forms. These cliffs and pyramids of — 
boulder clay are without doubt the most remarkable geological — 
feature of the district. Evidently Hugh Miller considered them 
quite unique. In his day they must have presented a very bleak — 
and savage aspect, but their appearance has now been much 
modified by the growth of trees all around. A splendid view — 
of these cliffs can be obtained from near the high road, which ~ 
gradually climbs the slope on the opposite side to the central 
plateau, and on to Cromarty, distant eight miles from Rose- 
markie. 
The time of my visit to the place (September) was too late 
in the season to allow of an extensive list of the flora being ~ 
1 A very graphic description of these cliffs will be found in Hugh Miller’s — 
“Cruise of the Betsy.’ 
