Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal Volume 4 Number 2

Mountaineering literature

The Geology And Scenery Of Sutherland, by H. M. Cadell

Edinburgh: David Douglas. 1896

THIS is an enlarged edition of the small work issued by Mr Cadell in 1886. In the present volume the author describes in clear and popular language the scenic character of the different geological formations, and the effects produced on the face of the country by the Glacial Period. He also explains at some length the complex structure of the North-West Highlands, and gives an account of the controversy that raged for so many years as to the correct interpretation of the phenomena in that classic region - a controversy now happily set at rest by the work of Professor Lapworth and the Geological Survey.

A paper by Professor Judd is drawn upon for a description of the secondary rocks and coalfields of Brora, and the book closes with an interesting account of the Kildonan gold-field. In it the author refers to the points of difference between the gold-fields of Sutherland and Australia, and draws the conclusion that although auriferous quartz veins are wanting, and the alluvial diggings cannot be regarded as certain or permanent, the gold may be finely disseminated through the rocks of the district in sufficient quantity to pay under improved methods of extraction.

The purist may possibly object to Mr Cadell's spelling of certain Gaelic place-names, and regard such forms as Spionnu, Coul More, Arkle, Foinaven, and Suilven as weak concessions to Southron incapacity. But unless the Ordnance Survey maps be taken as the standard of orthography, or - a most undesirable alternative - a complete system of phonetic spelling be adopted, these inconsistencies must always occur.

The volume is illustrated with sketches by Mr Straton Ferrier and the author, including views of Ben Hope, Ben Laoghal, and a somewhat sensational picture of the crest of Suilbheinn. Another view of Suilbheinn, from the pencil of Mr Peach, has already appeared in the pages of the Journal.

There are also orographical and geological maps of Sutherland and Caithness, and a section showing the succession of the rocks in the district.

L. W. H.