49 
^laccullocli at a much later date (1824) gives a short account of 
them,* hut goes off into a learned disquisition upon the food of 
tho Highlanders, useful and interesting in itself, but as ma}’ be 
imagined not of much count in this connection. ^Macculloch 
names the islands, (Jariveilan, Eilan na Kily, Eilan Wirrey, and 
Eilan IMore. 
Lord Teignmouth perhaps gives tho fullest account of the group 
in his ‘ Sketche.s,’ published in 183G.+ The “tours,” as stated in 
the preface, were performed in tho years 1827 and 1829. 
Wilson in his ‘ Voyage has a very short notice of the Shiant 
Isles. He underrates tho columnar cliffs. He says: — “They 
exhibit (especially Oarveilan), a fine cliff-like columnar coast on 
one side, showing strong indications of that basaltic structure of 
which Stafl'a and tlio Giant’s Causeway are the crowning glories.’’ 
In one sense certainly, that of simplicity and grandeur, the Shiants 
far surpass Staffa. 
One very general interpretation of tho word Shiant is (/reen 
lump or /n//§ which certaiidy admirably de.scribes the general 
appearance of the main island from tho south, but for tho rea.sons 
given by Mr. IMacpherson I think we may safely dismiss it. 15eside.‘«, 
tlio name of tho main island is Garbh-eilean, the rurpjed or roxajh 
island, which is even more descriptive of its aspects if viewed from 
the north, east, or west, or of its shores and precipices, debris- slopes, 
and stony strand. The group of the Shiants consists of two 
considerable islands and several outlying rocks. The main island 
as I have said, is Garbh-eilean. Connected with Garbh-eilean by 
a narrow ridge of shingle — over which in unusually high seas and 
tides, the water flies in foam from one bay to the other — is Eilean- 
* ‘The Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland,’ in 4 vols., London, 
18-24, pp. 323-325. 
t ‘ Sketches of the Coasts and Islands of Scotland, and of the Isle of Man,’ 
London, 1836, pp. 166—172. 
i ‘A Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland and the Isles,’ 1842, vol. i. 
p. 386. 
§ Jfr. Maepherson adds : — “AA'c have also iSmn (pin. siantan) a scream, 
a shriek, a roar ; also Sian (pin. siantan or siantaidh), any storm, as rain, 
• snow, or wind. This latter would also suit Ben Shiant in Ardnamurchan, 
which, however, I have been told also means “green hill.” 
VOL. III. 
F, 
