SANDY ISLE. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 465 



SANDY ISLE.* 



THE preceding remarks on Canna, are for the most 

 part so applicable to this island that little need be said 

 respecting its structure. It may almost indeed be 

 viewed as constituting a portion of the former, the 

 two being united at low water by the beach of shell sand 

 already mentioned, and by their union forming the most 

 frequented harbour on this coast. The bustle -and life 

 which it presents, when crowded with merchant vessels 

 detained by adverse winds or foul weather, form a striking 

 contrast to the solitude of those scenes where the geo- 

 logist is often compelled to cast his anchor ; either in 

 pursuit of his peculiar objects, or as a refuge from the 

 elements which the want of sea room will not allow him 

 to brave. Perhaps he may not think it the least of the 

 merits of this port that he can here renew his sea stores ; 

 not easily replaced in a voyage which is calculated to 

 impress on his mind the numerous, though often unac- 

 knowledged conveniences, for which he is indebted to 

 the habits of improved life ; and of which he has perhaps 

 never before been thoroughly sensible. 



That side of the island which lies next to Canna is 

 low, while towards Rum the land rises into gentle eleva- 

 tions terminating in abrupt cliffs and skirted with detached 

 masses of rock of considerable height. 



The rocks called Dun na Feulan (the gull rocks) afford 

 almost the only picturesque scenery which these connected 

 islands possess. There are two of different magnitudes 

 but of the same height, situated at a short distance from 

 the cliffs. Their altitude does not appear to exceed 100 

 feet, but they form some striking combinations with the 

 surrounding cliffs. The smallest is thin in proportion to 



* See the general Ma^s. 

 VOL. I. H 



