OS1/33/35/74

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 74
[continued from page 73]

[Extracts from the New Statistical Account] ------- Examiners replies to each of
[Parish of Tongue] ------- the underlined portions

narrow channel spouts up into the air, sometimes to a height
of 30 feet, through a hole in the rock, which in shape & size, is ------- Has not any name
like the moon at full, and a few seconds afterwards, there is a
discharge of water from the east side of the island, with a noise
resembling the explosion of Cannon. Eilean na Roan is of ------- Written and described as Eilean nan Ròn (The Seal Island)
considerable size, and has the appearance of two islands, par-
ticularly at high water. Part of it is scooped out like a basin,
in which the soil is very fertile, and cultivated by a few small
tenants. Its rocks are high and precipitous, and to the north side
abound with deep narrow fissures, through which the Wind
rushes with great violence. In these fissures the natives season
their fish without salt. On this north side also there is
a spacious and elegant looking arch about 150 feet span, and ------- Written Natural Arch has no other name
70 feet broad. About the middle of the island there is a large
circular hole, which has fallen in many years ago, and is ------- Has not any name
supposed to communicate with the sea by a subterranean Cavern.
The Rabbit Islands, three in number, are further within the
mouth of the Bay than the former, and so in some measure removed ------- There are only two islands bearing the
from the raging of the Ocean. The present name of these islands ------- name "Rabbit Island" [Initialled] WP.
sufficiently indicates who are their principal inhabitants. The
ancient name was Eilean na Gaeil, the island of strangers, from
the Danes having been said to have landed upon it. The principal ------- Written and described as
Bays are those of Torrisdale and Tongue; the former is open and ------- Bàgh Thorrisdaile and
tempestuous affording little or no shelter for vessels; the latter is ------- Tor
in the Kyle, or arm of the sea, already noticed. Its length is about
ten miles, the average breadth about 1 1/2 miles. Its depth is nowhere
great, and, from the shifting nature of its sand banks, navigation
is difficult and often perilous. There is, however, good anchorage
for ships of any burden at the Rabbit Islands, where they may ride
with safety in storms from most directions, A fine roadstead is also
to be found in its neighbourhood at Talmine, a pretty Bay that ------- Vide Name sheets
branches off the west side of the Kyle. It has a smooth beach, and
a fine bottom, is much sheltered from the most tempestuous winds,
and commands a ready exit to the ocean. At present it is one
of the principal fishing stations on the coast. Almost opposite to
Talmine, on the east side of the Kyle, there is the creek of
Sculomy, which at present shelters a few fishing boats. ------- "Sgulomie" written & described
[Continued on page 75]