Dr. Mac Culloch on the Chart of Shetland. 225 



other, while the extremely incorrect way in which these two 

 islands are drawn, renders it nearly impossible for any stranger 

 to conjecture where the channels are, or where his position is. 



Near St. Ninian's Isle are laid down three anchors, and it 

 would be difficult to say which of these places is the worst har- 

 bour, if indeed they at all deserve the name of harbours. In an 

 east-wind, a vessel might stop a tide under St. Ninian's ; but, 

 with a wind from the west, no seaman in his senses would make 

 such an attempt. I may also here observe, that the bar which 

 connects St. Ninian's Island with the main land, is laid down 

 in a wrong place ; being nearer to the middle of the island. 



The last harbour in the circuit is Quendal Bay. Here Collins's 

 chart is more correct than that which is here reviewed ; although 

 deficient with respect to the point that covers the proper anchor- 

 age under Quendal house. This is a wide and excellent bay, 

 even in winds from the west ; nor would there be any difficulty 

 in getting to sea, should the wind shift to the southward, unless 

 there was a very heavy swell ; as it is sufficiently wide to enable 

 a vessel to beat out without difficulty. 



It would be an endless task to go over the subject of sound- 

 ings, and I shall therefore be content with remarking, in a 

 general way, their incorrectness and deficiency. Where these 

 were of most importance, they have already been noticed as 

 far as is necessary for the purposes of this criticism, in the pre- 

 ceding remarks on the harbours. 



Neither is it necessary to make any detailed remarks on the 

 very few sailing directions which are appended to the chart ; 

 that which relates to St. Magnus's Bay having already been ex- 

 amined. I shall only observe in addition, that the passage 

 through Cliff Sound, either into, or out of, Scalloway, is 

 always inexpedient, owing to the squally nature of this bay and 

 narrow channel, and the nicety required in passing the bar of 

 Trondray, on which there are only twelve feet at high water. 



With respect to the general outline of Shetland as given in 

 the chart, 1 must limit myself to a few cursory remarks on some 

 of the most prominent errors which are to be seen by the eye 

 alone ; as I had no opportunity of making any accurate observ- 



