1891. Scotland.
Sept. 4
Trip to Iona and Staffa.
Oban. - A rare day for any country, the early
morning overcast, the sun out by 9 A.M., the
remainder of the day cloudless or nearly so, the
air clear, yet with a soft haze on the more
distant mountains, the light on the nearer
mountains surpassingly strong, rich and warm,
especially later in the afternoon, the sea
a tender blue ruffled only by the gentlest
breeze.
  At 8 A.M. we left Oban on the side-wheel
steamer "Grenadier". Crossing the sound to Mull
we passed entirely around the eastern side
of that island through a long, winding
and in most places broad sound finally
coming out into the open sea and thence
across to Staffa (where we landed in boats
to visit the famous Fingal's cave) and
Iona (where the ruins of the old cathedral
and monastery were also inspected).
  Reimbarking we passed around the west
and south coast of Mull and back
to Oban at 6 P.M.
  The scenery was remarkable for grandeur and
beauty as well as for variety. The view in every
direction save over the sea was rounded by 
mountains and the shores of the islands 
as well as the mainland were exceedingly 
bold and fine rising directly from the waters
edge in steep grassy slopes or vertical cliffs 
hundreds of feet in height. Where heather
abounded the hills were tinged with purple