234 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



is in the Scottish language, but on this occasion it 

 could not have been far off five miles. We did, 

 however, see several rock doves, so felt sure they 

 were breeding near at hand. Many other shore 

 birds were seen or heard as we passed along the 

 beach. As evening was coming on we decided to 

 return along the top of the cliffs, hoping a road or 

 pathway might be found there. We climbed up 

 the rocks, and then came to a steep, grassy slope 

 leading to the summit. This was dotted over with 

 wild thyme, which scented the evening air. At the 

 top was some waste land, covered with many gorse 

 bushes. Flying over these were twittering linnets, 

 their merry notes reminding us of the words, of 

 Robert Burns 



" I vvadna gie the 1 ntie's sang" 

 Sae merry on the broomy lea, 

 For a' the notes that ever rang 

 From a' the harps of minstrelsie. 

 Mair dear to me, where buss or breer 

 Amang the pathless heather grows, 

 The lintie's wild, sweet note to hear, 

 As on the ev'nin' breeze it flows." 



The next day we hired a boat to take us to the 

 caves, and with us went our genial host from the 

 little roadside inn. It seems to be a favourite form 

 of amusement for sportsmen to visit these caves ; 

 while one goes inside and drives the rock doves 



