.92 bOU'JH UJST. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



be said to constitute a chain ; they rather form three dis- 

 tinct groups. That which lies between Loch Boisdale and 

 Kilbride consists of three or four somewhat distinct and 

 rounded eminences scarcely rising to the altitude of a thou- 

 sand feet. They do not here extend far westward, since 

 this lake in its ulterior ramifications reaches into the flat 

 country. From Loch Boisdale to Loch Eynort the hills 

 rise to an altitude more considerable and extend further 

 westward ; enclosing the head of this lake, which never- 

 theless is protracted like the former into numerous intri- 

 cate and involved channels, separated by rocky eminences 

 and occupying beautifully sequestered valleys, now barren 

 and deserted, but susceptible under a more favourable 

 climate of every variety of picturesque ornament. To the 

 north of Loch Eynort the hills still rise in elevation, 

 forming a conspicuous ridge that is seen far at sea and 

 occupies a considerable portion of the island. This ridge 

 gradually declines by a long slope into Loch Skiport. Its 

 highest elevation is Hecla, resembling however in no other 

 respect but appellation, its very celebrated namesake. 

 A storm of wind and rain prevented me from observing its 

 barometric altitude, but it is probably not much short 

 of 3000 feet. The faces of these hills are all covered 

 with rocky protuberances, rounded and independently 

 scattered, as the gneiss rocks in this country most com- 

 monly are. The summit of Hecla alone presents some 

 abrupt and broken faces, but they are of small dimensions. 

 At Loch Skiport the hills disappear, and are succeeded 

 by a group of low rocky islands and promontories which 

 checquer and diversify the intricate mixture of land and 

 water by which South Uist is separated from Benbecula. 

 Loch Skiport penetrates so far to the west, but with a 

 change of name to Loch Gamoslechan, that it reaches the 

 western sea, and thus separates a portion of South Uist 

 in the form of a low flat island, which is not however 

 distinguished by a separate appellation. 



