4 Dr. Mac Culloch on the Chart of Shetland. 



labours were probably limited to Valley Sound and the Voes as 

 far as Scalloway ; although, even these are so incorrectly sur- 

 veyed, that it is probable the compiler had no access to his do- 

 cuments in a complete state. Neither has the compiler taken 

 advantage of Collins's survey; which, limited as it is, is far 

 more accurate than the present chart is in the same places ; as 

 any one may see who will take the trouble of comparing his 

 chart of the two Burras with that which is given, and with the 

 actual form of these islands *. 



It is not my intention to go through all the details of this 

 chart ; nor would it indeed serve any purpose, unless I could 

 have accompanied it by a large copy, which the dimensions of 

 this Journal do not admit. I shall therefore limit myself to a 

 few observations on some of the most remarkable points, for the 

 purpose of establishing the justice of this general censure ; those 

 who may be possessed of a copy, may follow these observations 

 without difficulty. The enumeration of even the few particu- 

 lars which I have selected for remark, will amply justify this 

 general criticism ; and it is hoped that it will have the effect 

 which is intended, of exciting the attention of some individual, 

 or that of the government, to the subject ; the object being, not 

 to censure error or neglect, but to instigate to a remedy. Hav- 

 ing entered almost every harbour under an excellent pilot, I am 

 the more easily enabled to point out where the defects lie, but 

 shall limit myself to the most prominent f. 



One of the most important circumstances in the navigation of 

 all the groups of islands which beset the coast of Shetland, is 



* Although not an advocate for monopoly, the publication of maps, or 

 at least of sea- charts, on the correctness of which so many lives, and so 

 much property depend, ought to be restrained to the hands of govern- 

 ment. The temptation arising from a little profit, is too often an induce- 

 ment to publishers to construct these charts from imperfect and imaginary 

 documents, careless of the consequences which must result from their in- 

 correctness, and, it is to be hoped, not aware of the fatal results which are 

 so often produced by their inaccuracy. 



^ The accurate and universal knowledge of this pilot, whose name is 

 Peter Anderson, would afford great facility to any one intending to con- 

 struct a chart of these islands: and it is an opportunity which, once lost, 



