30 THE COAST SCENERY. CHAP. iv. 



part flat and cheerless, it is redeemed from monotony by 

 its glorious coast scenery. On the east, as well as on the 

 west, the rocks jut out into the ocean in stupendous 

 cliffs. "When the stormy winds do blow" is the 

 time to see the wonders of the north at Duncansby 

 Head, at Dunnet Head, at Holborn Head, at Noss Head, 

 and, indeed, all round the coast. At Wick Bay, only a 

 few years ago, a tremendous storm from the east dashed 

 to pieces the new breakwater, lilting up stones of tons 

 weight and dashing them on the beach, thus setting at 

 defiance the skill and ingenuity of the engineer who had 

 built it. 



Duncansby Head is also exposed to the full fury of 

 the North Sea. It is a continuous precipice about two 

 miles in extent, and of a semicircular shape. It is re- 

 markable for its stupendous boldness, and the wild and 

 striking appearance of the chasms and goes by which it 

 is indented. In front of the cliff are three Stacks, which 

 have been washed round by successive storms, and 

 stand out bare and red several hundred yards from the 

 mainland. The cliff consists principally of old red sand- 

 stone, and partly of Caithness slate. 



The huge, long, white-crested billows, lashed into fury 

 by the storm, chase each other up the beach, and burst 

 with astounding force. At high tide, they dash up the 

 cliffs and rush over the summit into the mainland. 

 Fiom thence they run down over the inland slopes, into 

 a rivulet which joins the Pentland Firth near John o' 

 Groat's. From the summit of the cliff a fine view is 

 obtained of the Skerries at the mouth of the Firth, of 



