Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

BROADFORD TO SLIGACHAN.
tourist.* From this to Loch Scavaig head is a distance of
about ten miles, and will take four men two hours to row. On
the right will be observed Blabhein (pron. Blaven), which con¬
tends with the Cuchullins for the honour of being the highest
mountain in Skye, and is little inferior to them in the wildness
of its scenery. The ascent of Blaven may be made either from
Broadford or Sligachan, but in neither case should it be at¬
tempted without a guide ; for not only is it beset with danger¬
ous crags and precipices, but it is peculiarly liable to be
suddenly enveloped in the mists which ascend from the low
ground or from the sea. From either of the two places named,
the tourist may devote an entire day to the ascent and the
return homewards, although, with a concurrence of favourable
circumstances, and with great powers of enduring fatigue, it
might be possible to include it with the excursion to the Spar
Cave, Coruisk, and Glen Sligachan. Passing the farm-house
of Kilmaree, and coasting along the rocky shore, the boat at
length reaches the mouth of the celebrated
Spar Cave of Strathaird.■(■
The entrance lies through an opening in the rock-bound
shore, and at first the appearance is rude and unpromising ;
but an advance of a few yards unfolds the roof, floor, and walls,
appearing to be sheeted with marble, partly smooth, partly
rough with frostwork and rustic ornaments, and partly seeming
* The men will insist that two boats are necessary, when one is sufficient. One
boat can easily accommodate six persons, besides the four rowers and the guide, and
this the tourist should insist on. A boat to hold six, besides the guide, cost 24s.
This includes stopping at the Cave, carrying out and in the passengers if necessary,
landing them safely at the head of Loch Scavaig, and returning to Camasunary with
those who have ponies waiting for them at that place. Those who dislike a rough
sea may save part of the voyage by taking a boat only across Loch Slapin, and
walking to a place a little beyond Kilmaree, whence a boat may be obtained to
the cave; or the walk may be extended to the cave itself, which can be entered from
the land at low water. And instead of taking the boat round the point, the sea may
be avoided by walking across the point to a place called Elicho (three miles), whence
a boat may be procured for 6s. or 7s. to the head of Loch Scavaig.
t At high water the landing is difficult, and the passengers must be carried out
by the sailors or the guide. As the ascent of the cave is both steep and slippery,
the guide, after giving each of the intending climbers a candle, should ascend first
to the top of each incline with the end of the rope in his hand, and one of the sailors
should be made to hold the other end of the rope at the foot, or vice versa.