Blaeu Atlas of Scotland, 1654
Field | Content |
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Name: | Blaeu, Joan, 1596-1673 |
Title: | Andreae Melvini Scotiae Topographia |
Pagination: | [9v-10r] |
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Translation of text:
Only the coastal area beside the sea is cultivated. Here in a long bay Holy Island makes a harbour with drawing in of the sides, by which the whole wave is broken from above and splits into the pulled back bays. On this side and that vast cliffs and rocks around threaten the heavens; for a distance under their peak the waters are silent and safe, no bonds hold the tired ships, an anchor does not grip with hooked bite, and other things flourish as in a Virgilian harbour. And what is more amazing that the divine fiction of Virgil, so great and so productive is always the fishing in these quiet waters at all times, that if perchance more should be caught than is sufficient for him for one day, the rich inhabitant throws it into the sea as if into a fish-pond. Not far from here is the island of small area Pladda, which the fecund rabbit fills with riches by its digging.
Bute is eight miles long, and twice two wide, further on in the lap of the Clyde; it is eight miles distant from Arran, and that to the summer rising of the sun. Argyll is distant from it half a mile in the summer setting, Cunninghame six miles to the rising. It is all low, as fertile in crops as suited for pasture. It has one city, Bute, and the old castle of Rothesay adorns and fortifies this city and its wide bounds; in the recess of the bay it has another castle, which in the native tongue is called Kames and would be called Kampsos in a Greek mouth.
To the winter (22) setting of the sun lies an island stretching a mile, half a mile wide, and fertile in its low soil, Inchmarnock. A short distance thence, further into the esturary of the Clyde is Cumbrae, larger and lesser, the former fertile in crops, the latter productive of broadhorns.
A mile distant from the promontory of Kintyre is Sanda, receiving ships in its anchorage, since once the Danish fleet directed its course to it. Thence too to the winter1 setting stands Rathlin opposite the coast of Ireland, and twice two miles away is the small island of Cara, and Gigha, six miles long and one and a half wide. Separated from it by twice six miles is Jura, stretching twice ten and twice two miles in length. The sea-shore is frequented with common use and assiduous cultivation, while in woods and coverts of groves the interior hides countless and varied kinds of deer, which the people shoot, close girt with hairy quivers, people not reluctant to traverse the wild woods even with the bow, and with double hand to wave the huge two-edged axe. Hence in antiquity it was named Dera (23) by the Goths, as thus would be called what is 'deer' in Roman speech.
Two miles distant is Scarba, running twice two miles in length between east and west, and a mile wide; it is little cultivated and sparsely inhabitants by its farmers. Between it and Jura there is a violent flow of the sea, to such an extent that except at certain times you could not overcome its rush with sails or oars.
There are the obscure islands Eilean a'Bhealaich or Broom, Guirasdeal, Lunga, then both Fiolas (24), the Garvellachs distinguished by three names and three in number, and Culbrenyn, and Dun Chonnuill, Eilean a'Mhadaidh [?], Belnahua, Vickeran [?], and Eilean Gamhna, Luing, Seil, Shuna. (25). These last three are rich in crops and cattle, and recognise the Lord whom Argyll honours.
Next to them is Slate, from its cliff supplying tiles, which they have called slates; hence this island takes its name. Then Nagvisog [?], Easdale(26) and Inch Kenneth [?], and then Shian, to which yellow-weed harmful to crops gives its name, Eilean Righ (27), and Uberga[?] (28), and Eilean Dubh, and Triarach [?] with its sacred meeting place (29). Soon follow next Eilean Bhride and Lismore, on which the holy Bishop of Argyll had once fixed the seat of his cathedral, eight miles long, two wide. From it metals are dug up, besides the commodities common to all others. Then too Eilean nan Caorach, and then Shuna, then an island whose name is Ferry, and an island given its name from Sheep. Why should I enumerate Pladda, and Eilean na Cloiche, and Gross, and badly Eilean Mor? Ardistar follows, Eilean Musdile, and Bernera (30), an asylum, and a noble wood of yew, and famous Eilean Loch Oscair, Eilean Droineach covered with thorns, elder and ruins and remains, and also Eilean Balnagowan fertile in wood, and Eilean Ramsay, and Kerrera. Largest after large Jura, lying to the west twice ten miles and twice two in length and twice eight wide, is Islay, stretching from the mid-day light below the north, productive of deer and cattle and crops, and of lead. It has a river of sweet water named Laggan, and on the shore a gulf of the sea, in which many an island is scattered. It has a very clear loch of sweet water, in which is the island of Finlaggan, Queen of the British sea and palace of the Kings of all the Islanders, where the King, having assumed the Royal title, used to stay. Close to this and smaller is the island called Eilean na Comhairle, from the council of twice seven nobles, whose custom was regularly to declare justice, and to take counsel on matters of state; their great prudence and care for equity gave affluent peace at home and abroad. Between Islay and Jura is situated a small island named Cairn. On the south side of Islay lie Eilean Mhic Mhaolmhoire, Hazel Island [?], Outram, Eilean Bhride, Corr Sgeir, (31), Eilean Iosal [?], Eilean Imersay, Eilean Bethidh, Texa, Eilean nan Caorach named from a sheep, Eilean na Naosg, Eilean Rinard [?], Tarr Sgeir (32), Liath Eilean, and Achnarra, and Eilean Mor [?], and Eilean Dealloch Dune, and Stacbadis, and St John's Island. At the western corner of Islay lies huge Orsay, where too the racing strait is water impassable for crossing unless the suitable occasion, seized at certain hours, urges and transmits the waves for crossing. Eilean Mhic Coinnich; facing the summer setting Usabrast (33), and Eilean an Tannais-sgeir, and Nave Island, and Eilean na Bany, and also eight miles from Islay turned to the north Oronsay, and Eilean Bhaoideamal, in next place half a mile from Oronsay is Colonsay. Beyond Colonsay to the cold north lies Mull, twelve miles distant from Islay, equally wide as long, squared and lying twice two and twice ten miles in length, and also stretching the same number in width; mostly rough but still fertile, it has many woods and deer; and a sufficiently safe harbour. Opposite Iona [f. 10r] it has two rivers fecund from themselves with salmon and large in size, and other smaller ones also are not totally unproductive; also two lochs with wide-flowing waters, in which are two islands and also two castles. The sea breaks in at different places with wave-driven force and makes twice two gulfs, all abundant in frequent herring. Where Phoebus goes into the waves at his winter setting lies an island called by us of the Doves, Eilean Chalmain; to the summer rising lies Erraid; both suited to cattle and crops and fishing. Two miles from them is the holy island of St Columba, Iona, two miles long and a mile wide, productive of everything which this part of the world normally produces, and also alone well known for old, as is right for that people, monuments; but better known for Columba's custom and severe discipline. There was here one monastery of monks and one of nuns, but only one church, many chapels thanks to the kind heart and generous hand of the Kings of the Scots and the rulers. After th abounds in animals which dig holes for themselves beneath the ground. A mile distant from this is the island of Eorsa. All these belong to the monastery and St Columba. Ulva is two miles distant from Eorsa, five miles long, fruitful in crops and rejoicing in pastures. Its harbour has a convenient anchorage for long ships. On its southern side stretches Little Colonsay, fertile with both field and hazel wood. About a third of a mile from this is situated Gometra, two miles long, in width only half of this; it runs from midday to the icy north; hence to the midday Staffa is twice two miles distant; each fortunate in a harbour. Hence twice two miles back from this to the summer setting are the two called Cairn na Burgh, larger and smaller, walled in by sheer cliffs and the cruelly rushing waters of a very violent tide, so that by the natural defence and fortification both are safe from every enemy and attack and stand impregnable. Only a mile distant from these is an island whose earth is all black, packed together from trees rotted by age and moss. They dry blocks of it to use for fire; hence the island is called Eilean na Monich; in the speech of the English we call that kind of earth Moss. Then Lunga stretches about two miles in length; less than half is Bac Mor. Six miles back from this to the going down of the sun is Tiree (35), eight miles long, three wide, the richest land abounding in everything for this life of ours, in herds and crops and fishing and the marine hatching of birds. Here too is a loch of sweet water, here is an old castle, and a harbour well suited for long ships. Two miles from here is Gunna, and the same distance from here is Coll, twice six miles long, two wide, abounding in all products and with much fertile land. Not far from here is Calve Island, covered inland with the shade of groves and woods. Afterwards two green islands, larger and smaller, and likewise the same number with the same names against Mull. Not far hence are Glas, that is blue, islands. Soon high island of the Great Horseman, which is called Eilean Rubha an Ridire in the old tongue. Then Eilean a'Mhadaidh, or island of wolves. After that Eilean Mor. From Coll (36) is an island to the north, stretching from Phoebus rising to Phoebus slipping into the deep, in length it is twice eight miles, and six wide, with lofty and wooded mountains highly rough Rum, inhabited in rare places. Sea-birds lay their eggs everywhere on the plains, the cliffs are hospitable homes for Solan geese. Twice two miles from here to the winter rising is Eilean nan Each; half a mile from it is Muck, abundant in commodities; in it stands a commodiuous harbour, and the falcon nests. Not far from this are Canna and Eigg, themselves fertile, the latter also fertile with Solan geese. Then Soay, sacred to the custom of its own Diana. From here to the mid-day light from the pole of the heavens stretches Skye, four tens and two miles long, wide in some places twice six, in others eight; it abounds in mountains, and the mountains in woods, and the woods in pastures; and the plains are fertile with richness of crops and herds: and in addition to other herds there are groups of mares. It has a huge supply of salmon in five large rivers, and their own supply in many other smaller ones. The salt water of the sea penetrating everywhere into the soil of the land makes gulfs, three in particular, but also thirteen others, all yielding herring, the latter smaller in size. In addition to these it has a loch of sweet water; here too are five castles. This in the old tongue is called Skianach, but now commonly Skye; this denotes wing, that denotes winged, because the promontories, which admit between themselves the blue sea with flowing tide, are like two wings with shady veil. Scattered around it, lo, smaller islands, Ornsay abundant in crops and cattle, and one whose rabbits rejoice to live in secret caves. Pabay is notorious for robberies. Then Scalpay is eight miles distant to the summer setting sun, especially shady and hospitable to innumerable herds of stags. Then from Scalpay two miles to the north is Raasay, seven miles long, two wide: it pastures the greatest number of armies of stags in its birch woods. But Crowlin, a very safe anchorage for ships, lies between the Gulf of Caron [?] and green Raasay. Half a mile from Scalpay is Rona, heathery.