90 GEOLOGY OF ARRAN. 



huge natural ramparts of granite blocks, piled mass on mass 

 to a great height, like the Cyclopean walls of Tadmor or 

 Heliopolis, and of studying the structure of a granite moun- 

 tain, the varieties of the rock, and its peculiar style of de- 

 composition. We especially recommend this course if he 

 has not accompanied us on our first excursion. 



We have now reached the south summit of Goatfell, the 

 highest point in the island, elevated 28G6 feet above half- tide 

 level. The north summit is 238 feet lower. There is not 

 perhaps in Scotland another mountain peak which looks 

 abroad upon a scene combining the same variety of grand 

 features. Many afford wider and finer mountain views ; here 

 the eye ranges over a vast extent of broken coast, the whole 

 expanse of the noble frith, and its many narrow branches 

 winding far in amid mountain solitudes. How grand from 

 this commanding height are the surrounding peaks and rugged 

 ridges, and the profound dividing glens ! what lovely pictures 

 in their glassy frames are these sister islands ! how stirring 

 the rapid movements of life all day on the inner frith ! what 

 a world of human interest in that great ocean steamer start- 

 ing on her outward voyage ! The " sweep of the circling 

 horizon" embraces a maguiticent amphitheatre, reaching from 

 the mountains of Donegal and Londonderry on the west and 

 south-west to Ben- Lomond and Ben-Ledi on the north-east; 

 from Ben-Nevis and the mountains of Mull on the north and 

 north-west, to the ranges of the South Highlands, the Mull 

 of Galloway and Isle of Man, in the opposite direction. 



On a clear day, with a north or north-east wind, the 

 panorama of the northern mountains is very fine. On the 

 north-east horizon, Ben-Lomond is easily known by its ad- 

 vanced position, elongated form, and double top west of it 

 on either side may be seen Ben-Voirlich (Loch Earn), Ben- 

 Ledi, and perhaps Ben-Lawers; north of it is the group of Loch 

 Voil and Loch Dochart, among which Ben-More is conspi- 

 cuous by its conical form. To the north-west of Ben-Lomond 

 is the Arrochar and Loch-an-Slui group, among which Ben- 



