The Bell Rock Lighthouse.
A heavy haze now began to gather on the shore. No trace of St. Andrews could be seen. The East Neuk of Fife, with King’s Barns on the one side and Crail on the other, was only dimly visible. Steaming close to the Isle of May, we saw very plainly its lighthouses, its store-houses, and its ruined chapel of St. Adrian. We were reminded, in view of recent events, that this island is nearly of the same size as Heligoland; and one wonders that it has not been turned to as good account as the latter. Late in the evening we entered the Firth of Forth by the passage between Tantallon Castle and the Bass Rock, in order to obtain a view of these famous fortresses.
May Island.
Tantallon Castle.
Tantallon Castle, like Dunottar, stands on a detached rock, and is accessible from the mainland only at one point. It is famous in the history of Scottish wars, and especially in that of the house of Douglas. Every one is familiar with Scott’s graphic description of it, and of the parting scene of Marmion and Douglas at its gate:—
‘On the Earl’s cheek the flush of rage
O’ercame the ashen hue of age: