92 



EXCURSIONS IN ARRAN. 



EXCUKSION I. 

 To THE SUMMIT OF CIOR-MHOH. 



61. THIS shall be our first Excursion. It will reveal to us the 

 structure of the granite nucleus, and th^e relations of the mountain 

 groups. It will show us the basset edgW of all the strata as we 

 pass in succession across them to the central ,granite. We shall see 

 some curious dikes, explore a lonely corrie, (Airnb a high pass, and 

 thread a difficult pathway by the edges of the highest cols. The 

 morning clouds have melted from the peaks; there is neither bank 

 of mist nor cirrous haze to veil the far-off horizon ; the day will be 

 calm and bright, and the view from the summit glorious. Cior-Mhor 

 (Kior-Vawr) is that far-off peak, with sharp point and rugged shoul- 

 ders, rising behind the plateau on the south-west of Goatfell. We 

 shall reach it by a walk longer and more difficult than the ascent of 

 Goatfell, and the more exciting that it is somewhat dangerous. 

 Should a mist happen to surprise the tourist upon certain portions 

 of the route, his situation might be very critical. How promising 

 soever the day may be, let him never enter these mountains without 

 a pocket compass. The mists come down so sudden and so thick in 

 this changeful climate that without it he will be bewildered and lost 

 amid the high cols and peaks, and huge slippery granite sheets. 

 With ordinary caution, and the use of a correct compass, he has 

 nothing to fear. True, he will find neither house nor herd's shiel- 

 ing within the mountain circuit ; but directing his steps by the 

 compass, he cannot fail, in a walk of two or three hours at the 

 utmost, to reach the inhabited border, where a frank welcome will 

 meet him at every cottage door. Let it be remembered, however, 

 that the variation of the magnetic needle in the west of Scotland 

 is now about 24 west of true north. To the geologist we would 

 recommend to carry, besides his hammer, indispensable at every 

 step, a good clinometer with which to note the varying dips and 



