TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 51 



the same day. Indeed it is only in moderate wea- 

 ther that it is possible for boats to make the pas- 

 sage : the currents are so very rapid in the sound, 

 that many accidents have occurred, and a very me- 

 lancholy one had recently happened whereby se- 

 veral lives had been lost. It was witnessed by their 

 relations from the shore, who instantly rendered 

 every assistance, but unfortunately too late. After 

 spending the day very agreeably I returned by the 

 same route to Aceter, where I arrived late at night. 

 The next morning, the weather being moderate, I 

 went out for the purpose of shooting seals, which 

 were very numerous, but so extremely shy that I 

 was only able to procure a single specimen. 

 Rough weather, though disagreeable, I found to 

 be by far the best time for shooting these animals, 

 as I rarely succeeded in obtaining more than one 

 during moderate weather. 



This day terminated my shooting excursions 

 amongst the north isles of Shetland. During the 

 night we were busy packing up, and early in the 

 morning we started in the boat for Voe, taking 

 with us as much luggage as possible, and leaving the 

 remainder to be sent by the first trading- vessel to our 

 head quarters at Lerwick. At Voe I procured the 

 necessary number of men, horses, &c, for the con-> 

 veyance of our luggage, and travelled on to Oller- 

 d2 



