Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

441 IvYLL IIAKEN.
rections. The two passages being of unequal dimensions,
and also meeting the tide wave at different times, the
consequence is, the irregularity in question ; which is,
of course, visible in the ebbing as in the flowing,
though differing in the effects and appearances, in each.
The most obvious effect is that of repeated ebbs and
flows in the Kyle Haken strait, sometimes lasting even for
an hour, before the direction becomes thoroughly esta-
blished; thus often deceiving vessels as to the real time
of the ebb or flood ; particularly as the periods do not
well obey the moon, being influenced by the nature of
the winds without.
There is now an admirable ferry at Kyle Haken,
which conducts the Inverness road by Loch Alsh, to Sky,
and nearly supersedes that of the Kyle Rich. A road
also communicates with Broadford. The air of life given
by the ferry houses, and by the boats and vessels perpe-
tually navigating this strait, adds much to the natural
beauty of the scenery ;
which is also further enhanced by
the ruins of Kyle Haken, or Moil Castle, as it is some-
times called. No tradition exists respecting the origin or
use of this building, although it must, of course, have
belonged to the Macdonald. As a dwelling, it must
have been very incommodious, being only a single tower,
and of small dimensions ; and, for that very reason, it
could not have been a garrison to command the strait.
Whatever the fact may be, the traveller and the artist are
much indebted to the projector ; as it forms a most
essential object in the picture, and is indeed the cause
of many distinct landscapes that would not otherwise
have existed.
The town ofKyle Haken, though but just founded, and
therefore containing but the mere germs of Lord Mac-
donald's intention, is, notwithstanding, a very interesting
object here; its crowded and commodious anchorage, com-