LEWIS. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 171 



LEWIS.' 



IN the description of Harris I have said all that is neces- 

 sary for distinguishing the boundary between the Lewis 

 and that district; the two, as I then remarked, forming 

 but one island. The total length of Lewis is forty 

 miles, from the boundary line to the Butt, and its greatest 

 breadth, between Ru Ushenish and the Gallan Head, rather 

 more than twenty. The outline of the coast is much more 

 regular than those of the preceding islands ; as it offers 

 only one considerable indentation on the western side, 

 and as the northern half scarcely possesses one of those 

 inlets which, in the others, form such numerous and com- 

 modious harbours. The same continuous disposition of 

 the- coast is also the reason why the shores of Lewis are 

 so little encumbered with rocks : a circumstance which 

 renders their navigation more easy, and comparatively 

 free from risk. The coast-line is so different in character 

 in different parts as to admit of no general description. 



From Loch Resort to the Gallan Head it consists of the 

 declivities of a high group of mountains, terminating 

 either in slopes and stony shores or in rugged and pre- 

 cipitous cliffs. At the Gallan Head the great sinuosity 

 containing Loch Bernera, Loch Roig, Loch Carlowa, and 

 other subordinate indentations, commences. This intri- 

 cate inland sea, the largest in the Long Isle, is sprinkled 

 with numerous islands, many of which are of considerable 

 magnitude, the largest, Great Bernera, being about six 

 miles in length. The loch is thus hollowed into bays and 

 interrupted by passages of such variety and intricacy, 

 that it requires no ordinary degree of attention and of 



This name, like many others, has been a stumbling block to 

 Gaelic etymologists. It has been derived from Leod, Loda, the 

 Scandinavian Divinity. It is commonly used with the article; The Lewis. 



