38 
DESCEIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL FEATURES 
the north coast are several islands, of which, perhaps, the most 
remarkable is that of Garbh, or the rough island, so named 
from the extremely hard nature of its limestone rock, and the 
excrescences or nodules of still harder lime fossils of Crustacea, 
which, having resisted the action of air and water, jut out hard 
and unyielding from the almost equally impervious matrix. This 
island alone is well worthy of a visit, both by the botanist and the 
collector of fossil Crustacea. iSTear Tongue, and off the entrance to 
the Kyle of Tongue, are Ehon Island and Eabbit Island, the former 
frequented by seals {Phoca vihdina), and the latter swarming with 
rabbits, and visited daily by eagles and other birds of prey which 
delight in rabbit flesh. Most of these islands are frequented by 
various sea-fowl, eider-ducks on the north coast, in small numbers, 
and gulls and terns, puffins and rock-birds ; but in this respect 
Handa near Scourie stands pre-eminent, and is deserving of a few 
remarks apart from the rest. 
Handa can most easily be visited from Scourie Bay, or, if the 
wind is too strong or unfavourable, by walking three miles to 
Tarbert, and thence taking a boat across the narrow sound which 
separates Handa from the mainland. There are many good sailors 
at Scourie and Tarbert, but the two who, perhaps, most fully fulfil 
the wants of a stranger by combining seamanship, fisher-lore, 
and cliff-climbing, are the brothers Donald and Peter Mathieson. 
Any one going to Handa should be amply provided with sea-fishing 
gear, because, round the cliff-base and along the shore, some of the 
finest sea-fishing can be had. We have assisted at the taking of 
2^ cwts. of lythe and coal-fish during a few hours, out from Scourie 
at five P.M. and back at eight or nine ; and, in a single tide, a little 
further to the south, we have helped in taking over 600 lbs. of cod 
into one boat. When visiting Handa do not omit a judicious 
dram for the men, and if belonging to the army of the blue ribbon, 
some other substitute for one's-self, as Handa is not famed for the 
quality of its water. 
Handa, is a mile, more or less, in diameter, and nearly circular; 
slopes gradually towards the east or shoreward side, and where it 
is laved by the wavelets of the sheltered sound, the coast-line is 
