SCARBA, an island, in the parish of Jura-and-Colonsay,
district of Islay, county of Argyll. This
island, which is separated from the northern extremity
of the isle of Jura by the gulf of Coryvreckan, is
about three miles in length and nearly of equal breadth,
comprising an area of eight square miles. Its surface is
mountainous and rocky, and, towards the west, rises
from the Atlantic in abrupt and rugged precipices many
hundred feet in height. The cast side is indented by a
beautifid semicircular bay, from which the shore ascends
in rapid acclivities, interspersed with rocks, and crowned
with considerable tracts of birch and alder, presenting
a strikingly romantic appearance. The gulf of Coryvreckan,
which is about a mile and three-quarters in
breadth, has in stormy weather a terrific aspect. Exposed
to all the fury of the Atlantic on the west, it forms
a dangerous wliirljjool fatal to small vessels at all times,
and frc(|uently to vessels of large burthen.