438 SHIANT ISLES. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



diminished by the interruptions which result from fre- 

 quent fractures. But these are rather sources of variety 

 than defects ; and if the faces of Gariveilan have less of 

 design and regularity than those of Staffa, they exceed 

 them in simplicity, in grandeur, in depth of shadow, 

 and in that repose which is essential to the great style 

 in landscape. 



Numerous points of view occur in sailing round these 

 islands ; scarcely less fine than that now described, and 

 much varied according to the positions of the several 

 islands and the groups which they form with each other 

 and with the projecting point of Gariveilan ; which often 

 combines with them so as to produce foregrounds of great 

 beauty and striking character. This point is formed of 

 irregular trap, having nothing of the columnar form, but 

 presenting a highly picturesque appearance. It affords 

 one scene of considerable interest in itself and productive 

 of great effect ; being perforated by an irregular arched 

 passage from thirty to forty feet in breadth, and of similar 

 or greater altitude, supported at one end by two detached 

 columns of rock, and apparently from eighty to 100 feet 

 in length. A turbulent sea roaring through it carried 

 the boat with such fearful velocity that I could form 

 no better estimate of its dimensions, nor, unfortunately, 

 any more permanent record of its picturesque and extra- 

 ordinary appearance. 



Eilan a Kily differs considerably in shape from the 

 former, descending by a low rocky shore on the western 

 side, and being bounded to the east by columnar faces of 

 more or less regularity, but not attaining half the height of 

 those in Gariveilan; while the effect which they might 

 otherwise produce is obscured by the superior gran- 

 deur of this object. Eilan Wirrey is still less regular 

 than Eilan a Kily; while the length of its columnar 

 portions are further diminished by a thick substratum 

 of horizontal rocks on which they lie. The shore is 

 skirted in some parts by huge detached fragments of 



