(23) Plate IX/a

                                                                 Plate IX.

No part of the northern coast of Scotland, full as it is of romantic and wild scenery, affords bolder, or
more picturesque, views than the parish of Gamrie, in which this Cavern is situated. It is in the county
of Bamff, the northern limits of which are circumscribed by that part of the sea, called the Murray Firth.
This parish extends above nine miles along the coast, which consists of an unbroken chain of stupendous
rocks, in many places near two hundred yards above the sea, and almost perpendicular. Among a variety
of other Caverns, with which this shore abounds, is the remarkable one, chosen for the subject of the pre-
sent Plate.

The peninsula, or projecting point of land, called Troup Head, is, at some distance from its extremity,
perforated from sea to sea by a subterraneous passage about one hundred and fifty yards in length, in some
parts of which the roof is so low, that a man can with difficulty creep through. At the northern end
however this narrow passage suddenly expands, and presents a vast cavern, twenty feet high, thirty wide,
and one hundred and fifty in length, containing a space of not less than ninety thousand cubic feet. The
whole of this vaulted space is supported by immense columns of rock, against the base of which the sea
sometimes dashes with incredible fury. Nothing of a similar nature can be upon a grander scale; and the
effect, as it strikes a person, who has come through from the southern entrance, when from the narrow
passage he suddenly bursts upon this expanded cavern with the light breaking upon the opposite rocks,
and the sea in front, is truly wonderful. This view is taken from the inside of the cavern near the
entrance, and shews the rocks leading towards Gamrie Head, with a part of the Murray Firth towards
the west. The cavern, as well as the adjoining coast and land, is on the estate of —— Gardener, Esq.
This view was taken in 1799.