Bressay Sound lies between Lerwick and Bressay Island, and forms an extensive and commodious harbour, in which 1000 vessels well found may ride at all seasons in the greatest safety. Here the Dutch herring fleet used to rendezvous about the middle of June. This harbour has the particular advantage of two entries, one from the south, and another from the north. On the outside of the north entry lies a sunk rock, called the Unicorn. On this rock was wrecked the Unicorn man-of-war sent out in pursuit of the Earl of Bothwell, who fled to Shetland; hence the rock has its name. The paltry village of Scallaway lies also on the Mainland, and has an excellent harbour. Near this is the ancient castle of Scallaway, built by one of the Earls of Orkney. These are the only two towns, or villages, in the Shetland Isles. Mainland is upwards of sixty miles long from north to south; and in some places upwards of twelve miles in breadth; it is so shaped, that no part of it lies above _three miles from the sea_; and consists of a great multitude of irregular promontories, and a vast number of peninsulæ connected by narrow isthmuses, insomuch that it abounds with bays and harbours almost innumerable. In the parish of North Mevan, a peninsula belonging to this Island, stands the cloud-capt mountain of Rona, the highest in Shetland. It is eight miles long, four broad, and three thousand nine hundred and forty-four geometrical feet above the level of the sea; serving for a land-mark to fishers and vessels coming from the Northern Ocean. From the top of this lofty eminence the eye commands an extensive and pleasing prospect, stretching fifty miles at least in every direction. The great number of small islands and peninsulas scattered beneath, and often a distant view of vessels, in summer, affords a most agreeable diversified scene. On the summit of this mountain stands a house, called the watch-house, in which six or seven men can sit. It is constructed of four large stones, covered by two more for a roof, on the top of which is erected a pyramidal tower of small stones. In the same parish stands a rock rising perpendicular on all sides to a vast height, which, at a few miles’ distance, looks like a ship under full sail. Near to this are two very high inaccessible pillars, on which the large species of cormorants breed. What is extraordinary, the rocks possessed by these birds one year is deserted the next, and returned to again after being a year unpossessed. This singular practice has been carried on time immemorial. Here is a small isle, called Dorholm, perforated by a vast arch, seventy feet in height, under which boats fish, having light from an opening at the top. Next to this is the holm and isle of Stenness, so much celebrated for the great number of kittiweaks which resort to it; the young of which being esteemed delicious food, are taken in great abundance.