On the Red Sandstone and Conglomerate, and the Superposed Quartz-rocks, Limestones, and Gneiss of the Northwest Coast of Scotland

Abstract

The Red Sandstone and Quartzite rocks on the north-west coasts of Sutherland and Ross possess many features of interest, which have long attracted the attention of geologists. The mountains, rising abruptly from the great table-land of lower hills in smooth rounded cones, spiry peaks, or long serrated ridges, their hoary summits shining in the sun like new-fallen snow, and sending down streams of rugged fragments to the deep sea-lochs that, running far up into the interior, wash their bases, present scenes of wild and varied grandeur unknown in other parts of the island. Nor does a closer examination lessen the wonder with which we regard these mountains. They are then found to consist, not of granite or igneous rocks, nor of the older so-called primary strata, crushed up and broken by some great convulsion, as their singular outlines might have led us to expect, but of stratified rocks of no great hardness, lying almost horizontally in thin even beds, an moulded into these strange forms by the slow agency of natural causes. Many authors have consequently been induced to notice them, from the time when Pennant, deceived by their external aspect, described them as formed of white marble; and Williams, with a more accurate knowledge of mineralogy, as granular quartz.