OF SUTHERLAND AND CAITHNESS. 
37 
Sea-louhs and Shore-lines, Headlands and Stacks. 
Scarcely less in importance are the innumerable and far-reach- 
ing sea-lochs, commencing in the south-west with Loch Kirkaig 
and Loch Inver, the long arms of Glen Dhu and Glen Coul, and 
including amongst their number, between those and Cape Wrath, 
Scourie Bay, Lochs Laxford and Inchard, and the sandy Loch 
Sandwood, all united by a wild and rugged coast-line, save at little 
isolated spots, where vegetation struggles hard to gain a foothold 
on the crofts of the inhabitants, or at others where bits of sandy 
soil intervene, forming smiling little coves and nooks, sunny warm 
spots in the midst of the gaunt precipices and rock-bound shores. 
The grandeur of the coast culminates in the island of Handa, of 
which we will speak later, and in the grand cliffs and stacks and 
headlands between Cape Wrath and Durness. ISTor must we forget 
to mention the peculiar stacks or isolated pillars of rock of the 
" Old Man of Stoir," and that of the Buachaille or Shepherd near 
the entrance to Loch Sandwood, besides others we will speak of, 
around Handa, and on the north coast, whilst treating of the 
islands. 
Sea Islands. 
Intimately associated with these deep indentations and rugged 
coast-line, are the innumerable islands and groups of islands 
which stud the whole western seaboard, principal amongst which 
are the islands off Loch Inver, the Badcall Islands off Cairnbawn 
Loch (which at its head separates into the wild recesses of Lochs 
Dhu and Coul), and Handa, the stupendous cliffs of which, reach- 
ing 620 feet in altitude, give shelter to the countless sea-fowl 
which throng its step-and-stair-like ledges " at the height of the 
season," and which, for many years, also held the eyries of the 
white-tailed eagle and peregrine falcon. To the northward are 
more islands off Loch Inchard ; and Bulgie Island, famous for the 
booming sound of the great Atlantic waves which dash wildly into 
the half-submerged cavern on its north-west side, and which is 
heard miles out at sea by sailors on board the passing ships. Along 
