1 905-1906.] A Trip to the Isla7id of Hoy. 277 



north-western parts of Scotland. Yet many in our own 

 city have visited places on the Continent and elsewhere 

 who have seen but little of the country to which they 

 owe their birth. 



"Where to spend one's holidays is a question which nowa- 

 days exercises the minds of many in the spring months, 

 creating an excitement resembling in some degree the rest- 

 lessness of birds on the approach of the period of migration. 

 A lady acquaintance of my own characterises it as " the peri- 

 odical fever." In accordance with my conviction that every 

 one should see and know his own country, I may be excused 

 for saying that the Orkney Islands can be strongly recom- 

 mended. They are sufficiently removed from the great centres 

 of life to ensure relief from the overcrowding which prevails 

 at many of our modern summer resorts, yet, with the greatly 

 improved steam communication of recent years, they are com- 

 paratively easy of access. The travelling expenses are so 

 moderate that, combined with the cheap rate of living, they 

 afford to almost every one an opportunity of a thoroughly 

 recuperative period of relaxation somewhat out of the run of 

 the more frequented haunts of the trij^per and beyond the 

 bounds of the city week-ender. To the lover of nature in 

 particular, few places possess so many attractions as the 

 Orkney Islands. The ornithologist, the botanist, the geologist, 

 the admirer of cliff scenery, and the antiquarian will there 

 find much to interest them. It is, however, chiefly to Hoy 

 that I wish at present to direct your attention. This island — 

 the largest, excepting Pomona, of the group which constitutes 

 the Orcadian Archipelago — is certainly the most interesting 

 to the naturalist. 



Having a delicate daughter, I was advised by the doctor to 

 give her a sea-voyage round the north of Scotland. It seemed 

 to benefit her so much that the following year I resolved to 

 spend a few days with her at the Longhope Inn. I acquainted 

 the proprietor of the island as to my intention, and ai^ked his 

 permission to walk round the shore with a rifle to try and 

 shoot a seal. I expected his reply on my arrival at Longhope 

 Inn. ISTor was I disappointed, for on the steamer reaching 

 the pier the factor was awaiting us with a trap, and proffered 

 a request from the laird that we should stay at Melsetter. As 



