274 SKY. COAST SCENERY. 



modification. As this cave offers no other novelty to the 

 mineralogist, and belongs to a class of geological facts 

 by no means uncommon, it is unnecessary to enter into 

 any further details respecting it. 



If we except the gloomy solitude of the mountain 

 scenery at the head of Loch Slapin, the coast can scarcely 

 be said to present any interest either throughout the 

 remainder of this inlet or the adjoining one of Loch 

 Eishort ; the land descending almost every where without 

 cliffs to the sea, and, except about Ord and Dunscaich, 

 being scarcely varied by the adventitious circumstances of 

 scattered wood or ornamental cultivation. From these 

 points the distant views towards the north-west are never- 

 theless grand and striking, including the wide expanse 

 of the sea, bounded on one side by the contrasted forms 

 of the Sky mountains, and on the other by the more 

 distant hills of Rum. 



There is but little interest or beauty during the remain- 

 ing part of the circuit round Sleat till we arrive at the 

 narrow sound that separates it from Glen Elg, if we except 

 the prospect of the opposite shore, formed by the wild and 

 lofty mountains of Loch Hourn and Loch Nevish. The land 

 in this strait rises high, and generally with a rapid acclivity, 

 displaying broken rocks interspersed with coppices and 

 brushwood and enlivened by innumerable torrents, which 

 together with the proximity of the sides, the rapidity of the 

 tide, and the quick succession of objects, all conspire to 

 excite an interest which is preserved till we arrive at the 

 wide bay that forms the entrance of Loch Duieh. Here, the 

 variety of the coast line, the wide but intricate expanse of 

 water, the scattered rocks, the picturesque and various out- 

 lines of the mountains of Sky itself and of the mainland, 

 with the ruins of Kylehaken Castle, its rising town, and 

 the bustle of the shipping that frequents this sea, combine 

 to produce scenery scarcely exceeded on the western 

 coast. But here again all beauty once more vanishes 



