VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 7 



Bressay Sound lies between Lerwick and Bres- 

 say Island, and forms an extensive and commodi- 

 ous harbour, in which 1000 vessels well found may 

 ride at all seasons in the greatest safety. Here the 

 Dutch herring fleet used to rendezvous about the 

 middle of June. This harbour has the particular 

 advantage of two entries, one from the south, and 

 another from the north. 



On the outside of the north entry lies a sunk 

 rock, called the Unicorn. On this rock was 

 wrecked the Unicorn man-of-war sent out in pur- 

 suit of the Earl of Bothwell, who fled to Shet- 

 land ; hence the rock has its name. The paltry 

 village of Scallaway lies also on the Mainland, and 

 has an excellent harbour. Near this is the ancient 

 castle of Scallaway, built by one of the Earls of 

 Orkney. 



These are the only two towns, or villages, in the 

 Shetland Isles. 



Mainland is upwards of sixty miles long from 

 north to south ; and in some places upwards of 

 twelve miles in breadth ; it is so shaped, that no 

 part of it lies above three miles from the sea; and 

 consists of a great multitude of irregular promonto- 

 ries, and a vast number of peninsula? connected by 

 narrow isthmuses, insomuch that it abounds with 

 bays and harbours almost innumerable.. 



