170 GEOLOGY OP ARRAN. 



existing forms ; ice-action and ordinary disintegration would 

 do the rest. 



Sandstone is seen all round the shores of Lamlash Bay. 

 This bay, in fact the best harbour on the Clyde has been 

 excavated wholly in sandstone; and such is the nature of the 

 rock, that the bottom affords admirable holding ground, while 

 the water is deep enough to float the largest ship. Holy Isle 

 forms a breakwater, with safe and deep entrance at either side. 

 " What stupendous might was exercised," says the Rev. Dr. 

 Landsborough, " when this gigantic mole was pushed up 

 through rock and earth and water, and the elevated sandstone 

 overflowed by a stream of melted porphyry ! Behold the 

 power and goodness of God ! How many, after weathering 

 the storm, and casting anchor under shelter of this mighty 

 breakwater, have exclaimed : ' Thanks be to God, we are in 

 Lamlash Bay,' " * The shores exhibit in a striking manner 

 the wearing action of the sea at a later period; dark trap 

 veins intersect the shores in all directions, and some of these 

 between Clachland point and Lamlash stand up like huge 

 ramparts above the beach, shewing the extent to which the 

 softer rock has been worn. 



78. The distance from Lamlash to Lag by the mountain 

 road, crossing the Ross and descending Glen Scorodale, is ten 

 miles; by Dippen, twelve miles; or if we diverge to visit Kil- 

 donan Castle and the southern cliffs, fourteen miles. From 

 Lamlash to Whiting Bay the distance is about four miles. As 

 the path by the shore has not much of new interest, we take 

 the public road, which affords finer views of the scenery, and 

 then pass down to King's Cross, at the S.E. angle of the bay. 

 Here rocky ledges rise from a pretty pebbly beach, from 

 which Bruce is said to have embarked when entering on his 

 ]>erilous enterprise of rousing the men of Carrick. A cross, 

 no longer to be seen, commemorated the event ; and close 

 adjoining are the remains of a small fort, erected apparently 



* Excursions in Arran, chap. ix. 



