It
is a gale from the south-east, with an extraordinary surf which is
making a complete break of the new Harbour Works, where a number of
large stones have been dislodged and serious damage is threatened.
1:30 _p.m._--The storm still continues. A large concrete block,
weighing 300 tons, has been dislodged, and the whole building seems
doomed unless the storm abates very soon.
These hours corresponded with the time we were crossing the Maiden's
Paps mountains, and we are not likely ever to forget the great danger we
were in on that occasion.
We were rather backward in making a start on our journey to-day, for our
feet were very sore; but we were advised to apply common soap to our
stocking feet, from which we experienced great relief. As we left the
town we saw some ruins, which we assumed were those of Helmsdale Castle,
and we had now the company of the railway, which, like our road, hugged
the seacoast for some miles. About two miles after leaving Helmsdale we
sighted the first railway train we had seen since we left Aberdeen a
fortnight before. Under ordinary conditions this might have passed
unnoticed, but as we had been travelling through such wild country we
looked upon it as a sign that we were approaching a part of the country
which had communication with civilisation, other than that afforded by
sea or mail-coach.
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