"8 GEOLOGY OF ARRAN. 



the sea-level, and the trap then occupies the coast, forming 

 the low point at the entrance of Lamlash Bay, called Clach- 

 land Point, and also Hamilton Rock, the small island in the 

 channel. Near the point where the sandstone disappears, 

 some remarkable effects of trap dikes are exhibited. On the 

 west side of the point the sandstone suddenly emerges again, 

 and extends to Lamlash. The whole bay, indeed, has been 

 excavated in this red rock, which forms the base of the cone 

 of Holy Isle, as well as the coast on the mainland. But we 

 turn here meanwhile, and direct our steps to Brodick, by the 

 summit of the ridge which divides the two bays. Its 

 southern side forms a long grassy slope of gentle inclination 

 towards Lamlash Bay, on which are many granite blocks, 

 and a few of felspar porphyry ; towards the north it falls 

 suddenly in steep cliffs and terraces. As we pass up the 

 easy ascent striking views open southwards. Starting sud- 

 denly from the water's edge to the height of 1030 feet, Holy 

 Isle, with its encircling sea-line, fills the foreground grandly. 

 The bay, with its fine double sweep to King's Cross Point, 

 its wooded banks, debouching glens, and background of dark 

 hills, forms the right of the picture ; to the left the glassy 

 sea sleeps in the sunlight, dotted with small white moving 

 specks, and bounded by the winding line of the Ayrshire 

 coast, with promontory, creek, and bay, along which the eye 

 may range from Ardrossan heights to the Mull of Galloway. 

 The scene is singularly sweet and picturesque ; without 

 Holy Isle as an integrant part it would want character ; this 

 stamps upon it peculiar features. The northern mountains, 

 so essential and expressive in most Arran landscapes, are 

 here hidden from us ; but when we gain the highest edge of 

 the ridge, they burst upon us with startling suddenness in an 

 aspect quite new. They are grouped in a way not seen from 

 any other point, and their jagged profiles are thrown into 

 lines of singular boldness. Not less new and striking is the 

 aspect of the lovely bay of Brodick, with its noble castle and 

 hanging woods, of the glens into whose far depths the eye can 



