NORTHUMBERLAND. 



297 



mass of columnar basalt is perched the ancient castle of Dunstanhorourjh, whose 

 foundation dates probably back to a period anterior to that of the Eomans. 

 Another basaltic promontory is crowned with Bamhorough Castle, which formerly 

 defended a town of importance, now represented by a small fishing village. Off 

 this castle lie the basaltic Farn Islands, where seals are met with, and which 

 abound in sea-birds. The largest of these islands has an old chapel and a grave- 

 yard, associated with the name of St. Cuthbert ; while one of the smallest, a mere 



Fig. 147.— Holy Island. 

 From an Admiralty Chart. Scale 1 : 120,000. 



2 Miles. 



patch of rock rising a few feet above the water, is occupied by the Longstone Rock 

 Lighthouse, the home of Grace Darling. 



A little farther north is Soli/ Island, famous in ecclesiastical history on account 

 of its cathedral of Lindisfarne, the site of which is occupied by the ruins of a priory 

 church, a miniature imitation of Durham Cathedral. 



The river Till skirts the southern and eastern foot of the Cheviot Hills, 



and enters the Tweed about 12 miles above its mouth at Berwick-on -Tweed. 



Wooler, an old market town, is the principal place in the valley of the Till. 



Humbleton, or Homildon Hill, in its neighbourhood, is crowned with a circular 



128 



