94 Tran$ actions of the 



and varied ; it commands the whole of the fertile island of Uya, 

 while, further back, the cliffs of Fetlar rise b')ldly from the sea, 

 and the green patches of land in the blue water look very pic- 

 turesque. The coast along here seems to have been of great 

 importance iu ancient davs, for it was guarded by several circular 

 lurghs, or (broghs) small fortresses. The remains of four of these 

 old fortifications are very distinct. They are, probably, of pre- 

 Scandinavian date, but their age bas not been ascertained. They 

 are supposed, however, to be of Pictish origin. The first of these 

 burghs is situated on a point of land to the west of Gallow Hill. Its 

 interior is defended by two semi-circular ramparts of earth, the inner 

 one five yards, and tlie outer ten in breadth, with an intervening 

 ditch. At this same point the serpentine and diallage rocks unite. 

 Bellemont House, the seat of Major Cameron, a large proprietor of 

 land, next demands attention, and here the gneiss is reached. 

 Another burgh is traced on a point south-west of Bellemont, the dimen- 

 sions of which are much the same as those of the last one. Proceeding 

 northwards, I passed some small lakes, and near one of these, in the 

 hamlet of Snaburgh, there is another specimen of a burgh. Its present 

 external aspect is a heap of stones and earth, but within a space is 

 seen to be enclosed by a wall, the foundations of which alone remain, 

 thick enough to contain hollow apartments. The northern side of the 

 tower is defended by earthen ramparts with wet and dry ditches, and 

 the southern side by the lake. Years ago a plan of this fort was made 

 by a Mr. Low. 



The coast along here, on the west, is broken by many creeks and 

 voes, and the sections of gneiss displayed exhibit great contortions and 

 curvatures. The sides of these inlets are very steep, but the hardy Shet- 

 lander climbs down the bare rock with great agility, to fish among 

 the siUocJcs. I now ascended the lofty headland of the Moul, and 

 was repaid by the view. To the west "lay the barren island of Yell, 

 with its smoking kelp fires, separated by the foaming Sound of 

 Biomel, whose waters, owing to cross currents, carry on perpetual 

 tumult. To the north-east, in the far distance, Saxaford reared itself, 

 looking like a " pillar of heaven," for its summit was lost in the 

 clouds ; while nearer, the wild hill of Vallafield stretched northwards. 

 The foundations of ancient huts and boundary stones, are seen on 

 the Moul. Here there is nearly always a strong wind blowing. 

 To the north of this prominence lies the open bay of Wick, affording 

 a good landing-place, but no harbour. On its beach a species of 

 sandwort grov,s. Wick was once a thriving village, but now the 

 many ruined cottages tell another tale, their tenants having since 

 emigrated. The standing walls of a small ruinous kirk heighten the 

 scene of desolation ; its interior is used as a burial ground, and 

 many sea-birds take refuge in it, screaming to the dismal chant of the 

 waves. All these adandoned chapels are of simple architecture, of 

 mere oblong-shape, and now roofless. Their numbers shew the decay 

 of a religious population of Roman Catholics. At the opposite side 

 of Wick Buy, the gneiss is again much curved. The summit of an 



