Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

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THE ORKNEY ISLANDS.
a passage between them, and the Orcadian traditions allege the work to
be that of a dwarf, to whom they ascribe supernatural powers, and a
malevolent disposition, the attributes of that race in Norse mythology.
Whoever inhabited this singular den certainly enjoyed
“ Pillow cold and sheets not warm.”
Towards the north-west extremity of the island may be observed the
Old Man of Hoy, a large pillar of rock 300 feet in height. On the south
portion of the island are Melsetter House (the residence of John Heddle,
Esq.), and the village and loch of Longhope, the finest harbour in Ork¬
ney, guarded by a fort at the entrance, and two martello towers. The
tourist may return to Kirkwall as he came (by Stromness, etc.), or if he
prefer to vary his route, he may do so by crossing from Longhope to Flotta,
a small island with a bold rocky shore, and cross again from that to the
fishing village of Herston, on the island of South Ronaldshay, and taking
a boat across Wideswell Bay, a walk of about two miles will bring him I
to the village of St. Margaret’s Hope, where there are two inns (Allan’s
and Laird’s). At the How of Hoxa is a stronghold of great antiquity.
At St. Margaret’s Hope the traveller may join the north mail, which !
crosses Watersound, walk across Burray, about two miles (a fine dry
island, soil sandy), to the ferry-house, and then, crossing Holm Sound to
Holm, a walk of eight miles will bring him to Kirkwall.
A pleasant walk may be made to the west, passing Grainbank, the
property of the Earl of Zetland, to Quanterness, at the base of Wideford
Hill, where there is a Piet’s house. If the day be fine and clear, the [
traveller should walk up the hill. The ascent is easy, and the view from
the wart very beautiful. Descending, on the west side, to the road leading
to the town, the tourist may take the road to the right leading to Scalpa
Bay, distant one mile. To the east the tourist may take another walk
by Daisy Bank and Mavis Bank (James Spence, Esq.), to the Braes of
Setter, along to the Braes of Bairston (at the top of the fine small bay of :i
Bairston is the seat of Lieutenant William Balfour), and return to Kirk¬
wall by the way of Papdale, a finely situated house, lately purchased by 1
Frederick Dundas, M.P., as a residence, and formerly the residence of 1
Samuel Laing, Esq., author of “ Scenes in Norway and Sweden.”