CH. VI. FERRY FROM TONGUE. 77 



CHAPTER VI. 



Ferry from Tongue — DifBcalties of our Start — Seals — Shep- 

 herds, &c. — Emigration — Heilam Inn — Storm — River 

 Hope — Drive to Durness — Cave — Rock Pigeons — Inu at 

 Rhiconnich — Search for Osprey"s Nest — Swimming to Nest 

 — Loch of the Eagle Fisher — Stalking the Osprey — Row 

 up the Bay — Loss of Fishing Line — Scowrie — Island of 

 Handa ■ — Innumerable Birds, &c. 



Our start from Tongue for Durness was amusing, 

 though not without difficulty. We had to cross a 

 ferry immediately below the inn ; but on going to 

 the ferry-house and raising the flag that signified 

 the want of a large ferry-boat (the boats being on 

 the opposite side of the bay), we after some delay 

 were answered by the arrival of a small sailing-boat, 

 far too narrow to take over either horse or carriage. 

 On making inquiry of the ferryman, he told us that 

 the large boat was at present out of the water and 

 under repair, but that if we could wait ten days 

 or a fortnight it might be ready. This did not 

 sound promising ; but I settled the difficulty by 

 sending the horse to a point, from which a boy was 

 to bring him across a part of the sands fordable at 

 low water. We then took the boat off the wheels, 

 which we managed to stow away in the small ferry- 



