the blue expanse of air or atmosphere. For the reason of its blue colour and concave figure, see OPTICS.
Sky, 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 Valernel and Troternish, 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 the western part of Lewis. According to the computation of Mr Pennant, Dr Johnson, and Dr Campbell, it is 60 miles in length, and nearly the same in width where broadest; according to others it is 50 miles in length, and in some places 30 broad. The island of Sky is divided between two proprietors; the southern part belongs to the laird of Macleod, said to be finally descended from Leod son to the black prince of Man; the northern district, or barony of Troternish, is the property of Lord Macdonald, whose ancestor was Donald. Sky, nald, king or lord of the Isles, and chief of the numer- ous clan of Macdonalds, who are counted the most warlike of all the Highlanders. Sky 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; tho', 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. Sky is well provided with a variety of excellent bays and harbours.
The face of the country is roughened with moun- tains, 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 num- ber 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 £20. Ster- ling. Here is also a considerable number of fresh- water lakes well floored with trout and eels. The largest of these lakes takes its denomination from St Colum- ba, to whom is dedicated a chapel that stands upon a small isle in the middle of the lake. Sky likewise affords several cataracts, 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.
From the height of the hills, and proximity of the sea, the air seldom continues long of the same tempera- ture; sometimes it is dry, oftener moist, and in the lat- ter end of winter and beginning of spring cold and pierc- ing; at an average, three days in twelve throughout the year scarcely free from rain, far less from clouds. Thief, attracted by the hills, sometimes break in useful and refreshing showers; at other times suddenly burst- ing, pour down their contents with tremendous noise, in impetuous torrents that deluge the plains below, and render the smallest rivulet impassable; which, together with the stormy winds so common in this country in the months of August and September, frequently blast the hopes, and disappoint the expectations, of the hus- bandman. Snow has been often known to lie on the ground from three to seven weeks; and on the highest hills, even in the middle of June, some spots of it are to be seen. To this various temperature of the air, and uncertainty of weather, the fevers and agues, head- aches, rheumatisms, colds, and dysenteries, which are the prevailing distempers, may be ascribed. That it is far, however, from being unwholesome, is sufficiently evin- ced by experience; for the inhabitants are, in gene- ral, as strong and healthy, and arrive at as advanced an age, as those who live in milder climates, and under a ferner sky. The gout is scarcely known in this island.
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. It is, however, much less adapted for agriculture than for pasture, and sel- dom, unless in very good years, supplies itself with a suf- ficiency of provisions. Yet, though the soil is not ve- ry fertile or rich, it might with proper management be made to produce more plentiful crops. But the gen- erality of the farmers are so prejudiced in favour of old customs, and indeed so little inclined to industry, that they will not easily be prevailed on to change them for better; especially if the alteration or amendment proposed be attended with expense. Therefore, with respect to improvements in agriculture, they are still much in the same state as they were 20 or 30 years ago. Ploughs, on a new and improved model, that in comparison to the advantages derived from them might be had at a moderate expense, have lately been intro- duced into several districts around, where their good ef- fects are manifest, in improving the crops and diminish- ing the labour of man and beast; but the laird of Raaf- ray and one other gentleman are the only persons in Portree that have used them. The cafroin, a crooked kind of spade, is almost the only instrument for labouring the ground used among the ordinary class of tenants. The average crops of corn are 8000 bolls.
When Mr Knox visited this island in 1786, the number of inhabitants amounted to 15,000; but some gentlemen who resided there affirmed there were 16,000. It is divided into eight parishes, in each of which there is a school, besides three charity-schools in different places.
The minerals found here are lead and iron ore, which, however, have never been wrought to any ad- vantage. Near the village of Sartle, the natives find black and white marbles, and variegated pebbles. The Applefelen, 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, freestone, lime-stone, and talc: 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 saltpetre; and coal has been discovered in several dis- tricts.
The wild birds of all sorts most common in the coun- try are, fowl, geese, gulls, cormorants, cranes, wild geese, and wild ducks; eagles, crows, ravens, rooks, cuck- oos, rails, woodcocks, moor-fowl, partridges, plover, wild pigeons, and blackbirds, owls, hawks, snipes, and a variety of small birds. In mild seasons, the cuckoo and rail appear in the latter end of April; the former disappears always before the end of June; the latter sometimes not till September. The woodcock comes in October, and frequently remains till March. The tame fowls of fowl are geese, ducks, turkeys, cocks, pul- lets, and tame pigeons.
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.— 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 yel- low, Sky, low, with brown spots; and the third of a brown colour, the smallest and least poisonous.
Whales and cairnans, or sun-fish, come in sometimes to the sounds after their prey, but are rarely pursued with any success. The fishes commonly caught on the coast are herrings, ling, cod, scate, haddock, mackerel, lythe, fye, and dog-fish. The average price of ling at home is L. 13s., 13s. per ton; when sold, one by one, if fresh, the price is from 3d. to 5d.; if cured, from 5d. to 7d. The barrel of herrings seldom sells under 19s., which is owing to the great difficulty of procuring salt, even sometimes at any price; and the same cause prevents many from taking more than are sufficient for their own use.
The kyle of Scalpe 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 Bernhill, 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 con, which indeed is no other than the froth of boiled milk or whey raised with a stick like that used in making chocolate.
A sort of coarse woollen cloth called cloa, or caddee, the manufacture of their wives, made into short jackets and trousers, is the common dress of the men. The philibeg is rarely worn, except in summer and on Sundays; on which days, and some other occasions, those in better circumstances appear in tartans, a bonnet, and short hose, and some in a hat, short coat, waistcoat, and breeches, of Scotch or English manufacture. The women are in general very cleanly, and too excessively fond of dress, that many maid-servants are often known to lay out their whole wages that way.
There are two fairs held annually at Portree, to which almost every part of Sky fends cattle. The first is held in the end of May, and the second in the end of July. The fair commonly continues from Wednesday till the Saturday following. The commodities which are sold in these 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. Thousands of these are yearly exported, at from L. 2 to L. 3 each. Many of them are driven to England, where they are fattened for the market, and counted delicious eating.
In Sky appear many ruins of Danish forts, watch-
Vol. XVII. Part II. SLA
tude of even plates, laid close upon one another, and easily splitting at the commissures of them; this is also very common in the north parts of England, and is used in most places for the covering of houses. There are other species of this slate, viz. the brownish blue friable steganium, usually called coal slate; the greyish black friable steganium, commonly called shiver; and the greyish blue sparkling steganium. 4. The friable, aluminous, black steganium, being the Irish slate of the thops: this is composed of a multitude of thin flakes, laid very evenly and regularly over one another, and splits very regularly at the commissures of them. It is common in many parts of Ireland, and is found in some places in England always lying near the surface in very thick strata. In medicine it is used in hemorrhages of all kinds with success, and is taken often as a good medicine in fevers.
The island of Euston, one of the Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland, is entirely composed of slate. The stratum is 36 feet thick. About two millions and a half, at the rate of twenty shillings per thousand, are sold annually to England, Canada, the West Indies, and Norway.