ii'jc^z. a voyage to the Hebrides-. 211 



baked with water into cakes on a hot stone, or and- 

 iron ; — thought a delicacy, and was not disagreeable to 

 those who had never tasted it before — Eighty in 

 nuniber dined at Boisdale. 



Locb Shipford. 

 ,: nth Jul)'. Some of the party rode from Bois- 

 dale along the west side of the island, for several 

 miles, to the island of Benbecula, on which is situated 

 Nuntovvn, the seat of Clanranald^ Some sailed 

 from the harbour to Loch Skipford ; were surprised 

 the boat came so slowly from the fhor6 ; when it ap- 

 proached the cutter the delay was found to arise 

 from a little cow in tow, which, with some fheep, 

 Boisdale had, unknown to the party, put on board 

 for sea stores. Sailed at half past twelve, — at 

 four reached loch Skipford in south Uist. Caught 

 some fine trout in a small lake near this harbour, 

 called Loch Brachenmore, or the Loch of Big 

 Trout. In the harbour itself, crabs, lobsters, and 

 oysters.— Slept on board. This harbour is the finest 

 we have yet seen. On approaching to south Uist, and 

 Benbecula, the whole islands seemed on fire. There 

 was a great smoke in a variety of places round the 

 ihore. At this season kelp is burning in every creek. 

 The sea weed of which kelp is made grows best be- 

 tween high and low water mark. It is at every 

 three years cut, dried, and burnt to an imperfect glafs, 

 invkilns made by two low walls of stone, about two 

 feet high and two feet afsunder. 



Island of Benbecula. 

 1 2th July. Tlie sailing party rowed and sailed in 

 an open boat for Bcinbicula ; saw on the edge of loch 



