Pentland Firth, a channel between the Atlantic and German Oceans, separating the mainland of Scotland from the Orkney Islands. It is 14 miles long and 6½ miles broad at the narrowest. The Pentland Skerries, 5 miles north-east of Duncansbay Head, consists of two islets and of several contiguous rocks. On the larger of the islets is a lighthouse (1794). The navigation of the Pentland Firth is more dangerous than that of any other portion of the Scottish seas, a current from west to east flowing through it with a velocity of from 3 to 10 miles an hour, and causing numerous eddies and whirlpools. Yet over 5000 vessels with cargoes pass through the Firth annually.
Pentland Firth
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 8: Peasant to Eoumelia, p. 38
Source scan(s): p. 0047