rocky. The hills produce fine pasture, and along the shore are some pleasant plains, which are tolerably well cultivated. It abounds in valuable minerals, particularly a beautiful green serpentine. Near the southern extremity of the island there is a quarry of white mar

ble.

In the bay of Port-na-curaich, where Columba is said to have first landed, are found nodules of nephriticus. These beautiful pebbles are of a green colour, and are made into trinkets of various kinds; they are sometimes set in silver, and worn by the Hebrideans as amulets. They are also offered for sale by the natives to strangers visiting the island. Among the ruins, and in other places, are to be found several rare plants. Of the numerous islets and rocks around Iona, those upon its eastern coast are entirely composed of red granite; this circumstance renders it not improbable that the island was formerly united to the granite coast of Ross in Mull.

The ruins are much dilapidated, but they are now preserved by a strong wall erected round the principal parts by the family of Argyll. If we are to believe the natives, St Columba foretold the profanation of his abode, and that it would one day be restored to its original splendour and renown.

*

The Tourist may suppose himself again upon the main

*It may be remarked, that the bishops of the Isles resided here, after the Isle of Man was separated from them, and erected into a distinct see, in the reign of Edward I. of England, when its bishops assumed the title of Bishops of Sodor and Man, which before that event was enjoyed by the bishops of the Isles. During the period when the Norwegians, and after them the M'Donalds, possessed the western Isles, those parts of their dominions situated north of the point of Ardnamurchan, were denominated Nordereys, signifying the northward Isles; those situated south of that point were called Sudereys, the southward Isles. The latter forming the more important division, gave their name, corrupted into Sodor, to the bishopric, which after the separation above alluded to, was retained by the Bishops of Man.

land at Oban; from which place we return to Taynuilt. Here, instead of proceeding round Loch Awe to the village of Dalmally, we take the road leading directly southward to the ferry upon the lake opposite Port Sonochan, by which the distance to Inverary is shortened six miles and a half.* No object of interest occurs between Taynuilt and the ferry, distant eight miles; but the appearance of the huge Ben Cruachan in the vicinity is peculiarly striking. On crossing the lake, which is here only half a mile in breadth, to Port Sonochan, we obtain a view of its numerous islands, and of Hayfield, (Macneil, Esq.) upon the opposite shore. From Port Sonochan we proceed to the village of Cladich, where there is an inn, and enter upon the great road from Inverary to Oban by Dalmally. Near Cladich, the river of that name has a fine cascade. The road now ascends rather high ground, shutting up upon the south the noble scenery of Loch Awe; it then descends into the beautiful Glenary, watered by the river Ary, which rapidly swells into importance, and forms in its course three fine cataracts. The localities of this glen have been already noticed in our Second Tour. The appearance of dense woods and comfortable cottages indicates the approach to Inverary, which is situated near to the opening of Glenary.

Having, in the second Tour, described the roads from Inverary, the traveller can make his own route to Edinburgh.

* This route is recommended to those only who have already travelled the road round the head of the lake from Dalmally to Oban. Supposing the Tourist to have arrived at Oban from Fort-William by sea. he ought by no means to omit visiting Dalmally.

FOURTH TOUR.

FROM EDINBURGH TO PEEBLES, AND DOWN THE VALE OF TWEED, BY SELKIRK, MELROSE, AND KELSO, TO BERWICK; THENCE ALONG THE COAST BY DUNBAR AND HADDINGTON.

LEAVING Edinburgh by Nicolson Street, and the great South Road, which is skirted for upwards of a mile by handsome villas, the Tourist soon passes, on the left, the massive ruins of Craigmillar Castle, standing on an eminence; and half a mile nearer the road, also on the left, Libberton Village and Church, the latter a modern Gothic structure. The village is pleasantly situate upon elevated ground, and commands a beautiful view of the city and castle of Edinburgh, Arthur Seat, and Salisbury Crags, with the noble expanse of the Firth of Forth, and