84 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. VI. 



birch. Notwithstanding the peregrines and crows 

 too, the golden })lover is in great abundance. 



I found on the Httle promontory of Ileilam a num- 

 ber of wild flowers growing amongst the short grass, 

 one or two of which were new to me. Though I 

 am sorry to say that I am no botanist, I seldom pass 

 a wild flower without making its acquaintance. 



The next day our drive was to Durness. The 

 mountains at the head of Loch ErriboU are as 

 wild as can well be imagined ; consisting of irre- 

 gular piles of grey rocks, thrown together in every 

 kind of confusion. On the west of the loch 

 there is a long slope of brown hill, down the 

 side of which run innumerable small streams of 

 the brightest w^ater. The rain of the day before 

 made them appear to great advantage, as they 

 w^ere all seen conspicuously from the opposite side 

 of the bay, glittering in the gleams of sunshine, 

 which occasionally broke through the remains of the 

 storm. I w^as glad to get back to Durness after 

 three or four weeks' absence, as the scenery is magni- 

 ficent, the inn comfortable, and the landlady, Mrs. 

 Rs, and her servants, most attentive, kind, and 

 obliging. A pleasanter sojourn for botanist, natu- 

 ralist, or lover of romantic scenery I do not know. 



There is a very remarkable cavern close to Dur- 

 ness : a bui-n of good size disappears underground. 



