440 SANDA. GENERAL DESCRIPTION 



SANDA, 



THIS small island, composed merely of sandstone, . is 

 among the least interesting of the islands of the Clyde. 

 It is situated at a short distance from the Mull of 

 Cantyre, and is accompanied by two smaller islets of 

 similar aspect. It is of an irregular figure and abouf 

 three miles in circumference, forming a single sheep- 

 farm and covered with excellent grass. 



The remains of the chapel, dedicated, like most of 

 the religious edifices of the Western isles, to the favoured 

 saint, Columba, are still visible ; together with two crosses 

 of rude design, and various grave stones ; some of the 

 latter being sculptured with the achievements of their 

 long peaceful tenants. Its ancient importance, as the 

 station of the Scandinavian fleets during the contests 

 for the possession of Cantyre and the neighbouring 

 islands, is well known ; and the anchorage is still fre- 

 quented by the smaller classes of vessels which navigate 

 the Clyde. The burying ground is still an object of 

 mysterious fear to the sailors who resort to the har- 

 bour for refuge ; the remains of an elder tree being 

 pointed out, over which whoever shall walk, is doomed 

 to die before a year expires. Seamen are pertinacious 

 records of traditional superstitions. 



Like most other repositories of the dead throughout 

 this country, the burying ground of Sanda presents 

 every mark of neglect, being unenclosed, and covered 

 with weeds and rubbish ; the grave stones broken and 

 defaced, and every thing bespeaking the want of that 

 affection and respect which, among civilized nations, is 

 so generally bestowed on these memorials of departed 

 friends, and which is not uncommon even among nations 

 in a very rude state. The contrast between the burying 

 grounds of the Highlands and of Wales, is striking to 



