Foula

Foula, a lonely island of Shetland, 16 miles WSW. of the nearest point of the mainland. Measuring $3\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ by $2\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ miles, it is 5 sq. mi. in area, and attains in the Sneug a maximum altitude of 1372 feet. Foula is chiefly remarkable for the Old Red Sandstone cliffs on its north-west side, which, rising almost sheer from the sea to a height of 1220 feet, are unmatched for grandeur in the British Isles. They are denizened in the breeding season by myriads of seawowl—puffins, kittiwakes, and the rare great skua or 'bonxie' (Lestris cataractes), which formerly was preserved by the islanders to keep down the eagles. The only landing-place is at the fishing hamlet of Ham, on the south-east. Foula was the last island where the old Norse tongue lingered on into the 19th century. It has Congregational and Established chapels. Pop. (1861) 233; (1881) 267; (1891) 239. See Tudor's Orkneys and Shetlands (1883).