282 A Trip to the Island of Hoy. [Sess. 



Though best seen from below, I climbed the hill and looked 

 down on the head of the " Old Man." Long may he stand as 

 a landmark on the coast of Hoy. We know, however, that 

 such obelisks sometimes succumb to the winds and waves of 

 centuries. Only the other day it was announced in the news- 

 papers that " Stand Alane," a well-known landmark on the 

 Cockburnspath coast, was brought to the ground, owing to 

 decay and the severity of the weather. 



From the eminence above the " Old Man " we wended our 

 way down to the valley, and then ascended the highest mountain 

 in Orkney, the Ward Hill, which rises to an altitude of 1555 

 feet. It was a beautiful day, and on gaining the summit a 

 magnificent panorama was spread out before us. The entire 

 islands which constitute the Orcadian Archipelago lay around, 

 sparkling in the bright sunshine "like emeralds chased in 

 gold," — Papa Westray, North Eonaldshay, Eday, and Sanday 

 being easily discernible. Though the tidal currents flow 

 among the islands like mighty rivers, yet looking down from 

 this eminence the billows of the broad Atlantic dwindled into 

 mere ripples, and gave the appearance of the sea being 

 perfectly calm. Gazing southward, the coast of Caithness 

 is distinctly seen, with Dunnet Head and John-o'-Groat's 

 standing out conspicuously. The Morven and Benhope hills 

 are also observable, and the fact of our having traversed the 

 heather in that district of Caithness added interest to the 

 scene. Verily the view from the summit of the Ward Hill, 

 if once obtained, will not readily be forgotten. 



Descending the mountain, we followed the stream down to 

 the township of Eackwick. As already said, this village is 

 beautifully situated in the valley ; and though closed in on 

 two sides by lofty precipices, it possesses a fine bay, opening 

 towards the Pentland Firth. Conversing with one of the 

 inhabitants, he informed us that great hawks from the Sneuk 

 frequently carry off their domestic poultry. 



Retracing our steps, and following up the burn through a 

 long swampy valley on the south side of the Ward Hill, with 

 its wild corries furrowed with ravines and scarred by the 

 storms of centuries, we came to the " Dwarfie Stone." This is 

 one of the wonders of the Orkney Islands, and it is interesting to 

 find the name of Hugh Millar on it, carved by himself. It is 



