GREAT GLEN^ OF SCOTLAI^D, 
rocks of that quarter. I may, however, observe, that, as 
far as my observation extends, no clay-slate or greywacke, 
similar to those which occur in the red sandstone of Sky 
and Applecross, are found on this coast. Nor does the red 
sandstone of the range at present under our view, rest upon 
or alternate with gneiss, or any other of the primitive rocks, 
as it is said to do on the west coast, unless it be near Doch- 
four, where it approaches mountains of gneiss and granite. 
Its relations in this direction, however, I have not yet been 
able satisfactorily to explore. 1 may also remark, before 
commencing the particular description of this sandstone, 
that it is in one spot (near Fortrose) covered by a small 
portion of secondary strata, which, although I have not yet 
examined, I conceive to be a mere prolongation of the 
secondary deposits of Morayshire. The other points of 
resemblance between this red sandstone and that of the 
west coast, may be gathered from the following descrip- 
tion. 
The principal rang^^ or rather ridge, which skirts along 
the Ross-shire coast, rises to the height of from SCO to 500 
feet, and presents an outline in general waving, frequently 
tabular, and, in one or two instances, broken into short 
and sharp peaks. The bearing is uniformly towards the 
east or north-east, and the dip is towards the west, vary- 
ing, however, in regard to the magnitude of its angle. A 
similar uniformity of dip and bearing pervades the whole 
of the mountainous chains in this district ; and it will per- 
haps save us the constant repetition of the same north- 
easterly tendency, if we here, once for all, refer to the na^. 
tural position of the Valley of the Ness. 
Of the ridge here alluded to, the acclivities next the sea 
are frequently precipitous ; but, as might be expected, from 
the direction of the dip, the slope towards the interior of 
the country is much more gentle. Red Sandstone, which 
YOL. IV. N 
