28 STUDIES OF NATURE 



at the Holy Island which fronts us, looking 

 east 



A precious stone set in the silver sea. 



It would always be worth while to make a 

 journey to Lamlash if only for the sake of seeing 

 the Holy Island under its various aspects. I 

 cannot remember anything at all like it else- 

 where. It is unique. Seen from this road it 

 presents as indeed from many other points 

 an appearance which can only be described as 

 startling a thing not to be expected in the 

 ordinary course of natural scenery. Startling 

 in its beauty, for the shores in this evening light 

 rise soft and green from a placid sea ; startling 

 in its grandeur, for beyond the narrow and 

 verdant margin the rocks tower to a great 

 height, precipitous and dark. When this view 

 is lost we begin the descent towards Brodick, a 

 wide moorland in the foreground and the Goat- 

 fell range behind. It is a pleasant road. Many 

 little burns come wimpling through the heather, 



