SKIE, one of the greatest of the Western Islands of Scotland, so called from Skianach, which in the Erse dialect signifies winged, because the two promontories of Valerness and Troterness, by which it is bounded on the north-west and north-east, are supposed to resemble wings. The island lies between the shire of Ross and
Skie. the western part of Lewis, extending 40 miles in length from north to south; in some places 20, and in others 30, in breadth; the circumference of the whole amounting to about 100. The island of Skie is divided between two proprietors: the southern part belongs to the laird of Macleod, said to be lineally descended from Leod son to the black prince of Man: the northern district, or barony of Troterness, is the property of Sir James Macdonald, whose ancestor was Donald, king or lord of the isles, and chief of the numerous clan of Macdonalds, who are counted the most warlike of all the Highlanders. Skie is part of the shire of Inverness, and formerly belonged to the diocese of the isles: on the south, it is parted from the main land by a channel three leagues in breadth; though, at the ferry of Glenelly, it is so narrow that a man may be heard calling for the boat, from one side to the other. Skie is well provided with a variety of excellent bays and harbours.
The face of the country is roughened with mountains, some of which are so high as to be covered with snow on the top at Midsummer; in general, their sides are clothed with heath and grass, which afford good pasturage for sheep and black cattle. Between the mountains there are some fertile valleys, and the greater part of the land towards the sea-coast is plain and arable. The island is well watered with a great number of rivers, above 30 of which afford salmon; and some of them produce black mussels in which pearls are bred, particularly the rivers Kilmartin and Ord: Martin was assured by the proprietor of the former, that a pearl hath been found in it valued at 201. Sterling. Here is also a considerable number of fresh-water lakes well stored with trout and eels. The largest of these lakes takes its denomination from St Columba, to whom is dedicated a chapel that stands upon a small isle in the middle of the lake. Skie likewise affords several catarafts, that roar down the rocks with great impetuosity. That the island has been formerly covered with woods, appears from the large trunks of fir and other trees daily dug out of the bogs and peat-marshes in every part of this country.
The air is cold and moist; the climate rainy, but not unwholesome. The soil is generally black, though it likewise affords clay of different colours; such as white, red, and blue, and in some places fuller's earth. The island produces barley, oats, rye, pease, and plenty of grass for pasture, together with pot-herbs and roots for the kitchen: in the article of fruit it is very defective; tho' there are some in the orchards belonging to the proprietors.
The minerals found here are lead and iron ore, which, however, have never been wrought to any advantage. Near the village Sartle, the natives find black and white marcalites, and variegated pebbles. The applesglen, in the neighbourhood of Loch-fallart, produces beautiful agates of different sizes and colours: stones of a purple hue are, after great rains, found in the rivulets: crystal, of different colours and forms, abounds in several parts of the island, as well as black and white marble, free-stone, limestone, and tale: small red and white coral is found on the southern and western coasts in great abundance. The fuel consists chiefly of peat and turf, which are impregnated with iron ore and salt-petre; and coal has been discovered in several districts.
Skie. The animals are horses, hogs, sheep, goats, cows, and deer. The black cattle are here exposed to all the rigours of the severe winter, without any other provender than the tops of the heath and the alga marina; so that they appear like mere skeletons in the spring, though as the grass grows up, they soon become plump and juicy, the beef being sweet, tender, and finely interlarded. Here are land and water fowl in abundance; eagles, hawks, heathcocks, grouse, ptarmigan, pigeons, plover, wild geese, &c. The amphibious animals are seals and otters. Among the reptiles they reckon vipers, asps, weasels, frogs, toads, and three different kinds of serpents; the first spotted black and white, and very poisonous; the second, yellow with brown spots; and the third of a brown colour, the smallest and least poisonous.
All the coast of Skie swarms with fish, cod, ling, mac-karel, whiting, haddock, thornback, turbot, and herrings, which they preserve without salt, by gutting and hanging them to dry in the smoke. In the bays and anchoring places, the natives find shell-fish of all kinds. The kyle of Scalpa teems with oysters, in such a manner that, after some spring-tides, 20 horse-loads of them are left upon the sands. Near the village of Bernstall, the beach yields mussels sufficient to maintain 60 persons per day; this providential supply helps to support many poor families in times of scarcity.
The people are strong, robust, healthy, and prolific. They generally profess the Protestant religion; are honest, brave, innocent, and hospitable. They speak the language, wear the habit, and observe the customs that are common to all the Hebrides. The meconium in new-born infants is purged away with fresh butter; the children are bathed every morning and evening in water, and grow up so strong, that a child of 10 months is able to walk alone: they never wear shoes or stockings before the age of eight or ten, and night-caps are hardly known: they keep their feet always wet; they lie on beds of straw or heath, which last is an excellent restorative: they are quick of apprehension, ingenious, and very much addicted to music and poetry. They eat heartily of fish; but seldom regale themselves with flesh-meat: their ordinary food consists of butter, cheese, milk, potatoes, colewort, brochan, and a dish called om, which indeed is no other than the froth of boiled milk or whey raised with a stick like that used in making chocolate.
There are two fairs held annually at Portry, on the east side of Skie; the first on the middle of June, the other about the beginning of September. The commodities here sold, are horses, cows, sheep, goats, hides, butter, cheese, fish, and wool. The cattle sold in these fairs swim over to the main land through a mile or half a mile of sea. Many thousands of these beasts are driven up yearly to England, where they are fattened for the market, and counted delicious eating.
In Skie appear many ruins of Danish forts, watch-towers, beacons, temples, and sepulchral monuments. All the forts are known by the term Dun; such as Dun-Skudborg, Dun-Derig, Dun-Skerinefs, Dun-David, &c.