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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, 'Here is the length of the Currach,' 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)
