84 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. VI. 



of birch. Notwithstanding the peregrines and 

 crows too, the golden plover is in great abundance. 



I found on the little promontory of Heilam a 

 number of wild-flowers growing amongst the short 

 grass, one or two of which were new to me. Though 

 I am sorry to say that I am no botanist, I seldom 

 pass a wild -flower without making its acquaintance. 



The next day our drive was to Durness. The 

 mountains at the head of Loch Erriboll are as 

 wild as can well be imagined ; consisting of irreg- 

 ular piles of gray rocks, thrown together in every 

 kind of confusion. On the west of the loch there 

 is a long slope of brown hill, down the side of 

 which run innumerable small streams of the 

 brightest water. The rain of the day before made 

 them appear to great advantage, as they were all 

 seen conspicuously from the opposite side of the 

 bay, glittering in the gleams of sunshine, which 

 occasionally broke through the remains of the 

 storm. I was glad to get back to Durness after 

 three or four weeks' absence, as the scenery is magni- 

 ficent, the inn comfortable, and the landlady, Mrs. 

 Eoss, and her servants, most attentive, kind, and 

 obliging. A pleasanter sojourn for botanist, natur- 

 alist, or lover of romantic scenery I do not know. 



There is a very remarkable cavern close to Dur- 

 ness : a burn of good size disappears underground, 



