We walked from the monastery of Nuns to the great church or cathedral along an old broken causeway. They told us that this had been a street; and that there were good houses built on each side. Dr. Johnson doubted if it was any thing more than a paved road for the nuns.

Being desirous to visit the opposite shore of the island, where Saint Columba is said to have landed, I procured a horse from one MacGinnis, who ran along as my guide. The place which I went to see is about two miles from the village.

They call it Portawherry, from the wherry in which Columba came; though, when they shew the length of his vessel, as marked on the beach by two heaps of stone, they say, & #39;Here is the length of the Currach,& #39; using the Erse word.

Icolmkill is a fertile island. The inhabitants export some cattle and grain; and I was told, they import nothing but iron and salt. They are industrious, and make their own woollen and linen cloth; and they brew a good deal of beer, which we did not find in any other islands.

We set sail again about mid-day, and in the evening landed on Mull, near the house of the Reverend Mr. Neil MacLeod, who, having been informed of our coming by a message from Sir Allan, came out to meet us. We were this night very agreeably entertained at his house. (20 Oct 1773)