Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 Excerpt:...magnificent; but a dense and drizzling rain was falling thick around, and the increasing wind drove the briny spray with considerable force against us; so returning by the Great Causeway along the shore, in the direction of the landing-place, we collected our scattered forces, stepped into the boat, and in a few minutes were again on board. In spite of the indifferent weather, we were all highly delighted with this portion of our trip; and such was the peculiar character of the scene around, and so impressive its effect, that it was afterwards a question with us, whether the gloomy grandeur of that murky day was not in some measure to be preferred to the more gairish sunlight." GRIBON. The run from Staffa to Iona, a distance of 9 miles, offers a tolerable view of the broad, massive promontory E of Gribon, on the west coast of Mull. This promontory has a rough, rocky shore-line, and a high, cliffy coast; and it is the part of Mull which recedes in successive trap terraces till it attains an altitude of nearly 2000 feet. A cave of great extent penetrates it from the shore, and used to be fully as attractive to tourists as Staffa. It is said to have swallowed up in its inner depths a gentleman of the name of Mackinnon, who attempted to explore it; and it therefore bears the name of Mackinnon's Cave. Its accessible parts were, in former times, a retreat of clansmen, probably both for safety and for ambush; and one of them contains a square stone, called Fingal's Table, on which they are said to have taken their meals. The cave was explored to the extent of about 480 feet by Dr. Johnson and his friend Boswell; and it has been explored much farther by more recent visitors; but it presents little attraction except its vastness. The common people fable it to e...