1905-1906.] A Trip to the Island of Hoy. 281 



to speak of the grandeur of the coastline which it fronts. 

 Sir Archibald Geikie, in his ' Scottish Reminiscences,' says : 

 " The ' Old Man of Hoy,' which has been left standing as an 

 isolated column in front of this great cliff, is the grandest 

 natural obelisk in the British Islands, for it rises to a height 

 of 450 feet above the waves that beat against its base." 



So much has been written about the Old Man of Hoy, and 

 so many photos and picture post -cards of him have been 

 scattered broadcast, that it would be superfluous for me to 

 say more, except, perhaps, that it is asserted the " Old 

 Man " at one time had another tier or support, but which 

 has long since been washed away by the fury of the Atlantic 

 surges. A local poet has described the " Old Man " in verse, 

 which, though not of high rank as poetry, is yet not without 

 a considerable amount of humour. Some of the verses may 

 here be reproduced : — 



" Upon Orcadia's rocky strand 

 There stands a man alone, 

 One foot amongst the briny weed, 

 The other one is gone. 

 Old people yet remember it, 

 Although 'tis many years 

 Since it was lost by winds and frost, 

 And the old man dropped some tiers. 



When this man was created, 



We have no dates at hand : 



I think it must have been before 



Old Adam delved the land. 



There are some others of the clan 



Of the same date and day ; 



They stop somewhere near John-o'-Groats, 



And are called the ' Men of Mey.' 



If you wish to see this wonder, 



This man who had no birth, 



You must steer your bark for Stromness town. 



North from the Pentland Firth : 



And when you land ask for the man 



Who never was a boy, 



And any one will tell you where 



To find the Man of Hoy." 



