GARVELOCH ISLES. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 157 



cuous, prolonged gradually into the ridge of Jura, which 

 vanishes at . length in the distant haze where Colonsa 

 is scarcely distinguishable in the horizon. In front, the 

 dark cliffs of Inimore, backed by the mountains of Mull, 

 extend their long line ; while the intricate and glittering 

 channels that separate the Slate isles from the Argyllshire 

 coast, and the variety of rocks and islands scattered over 

 the intermediate sea, contrast with these ruder features ; 

 the Linnhe Loch and the surrounding mountains of Crua- 

 chan, of Appin, . and Glenco, stretching away at length 

 beyond reach of the eye. 



The surface of these islands is disposed in a very sin- 

 gular manner ; consisting of deep narrow longitudinal 

 vallies enclosed by high rocks, and presenting an aspect of 

 seclusion such as we should only expect in the moun- 

 tainous regions of an extensive district. The narrow limits 

 of the little territory are forgotten, and the spectator, once 

 entangled in these deep recesses, is no longer conscious 

 that he occupies but a little point in the boisterous sea 

 which is breaking round him. Nothing could be conceived 

 better adapted for the solitude of a hermit; and accordingly, 

 there are still existing remains on Ilachanu which bespeak 

 its destination to religious objects. I can discover no 

 account of these in the legendary or antiquarian histories 

 of Scotland ; they seem indeed scarcely known to any 

 but the neighbouring fishermen, although they appear to 

 have once enjoyed considerable celebrity, if we may judge 

 from the number of tombs and crosses of which the 

 remains are still existing. It is probable that, like the 

 Shiant isles, St. Cormac's isle, and other establishments, 

 this was a cell dependent on lona ; but that it attracted 

 greater veneration than those, is rendered probable by 

 the number of these apparently votive crosses, and by that 

 of the warriors of former days, whose swords or atchieve- 

 ments are carved, each on the grey stone beneath which 

 the once turbulent owner now sleeps in peace. Some 

 walls, nearly ruined, bespeak the probable dwelling of the 



