Note 3 — Chapter I
Reading edition
"The stupendous rock of Ailsa rises almost perpendicularly to the height of 940 feet. The circumference of this singular rock at its base is about two miles; its shape is somewhat conical, and it is on all sides extremely precipitous. The only landing-place is on the north-east, where there is a small beach, formed by fragments which have fallen from the neighbouring rocks. The cliffs of Ailsa are in several places distinctly columnar; and the whole isle appears to be composed of rocks belonging to the newest Flœtz formation, the individual members of which resemble those that occur in the island of Arran. This rock is inhabited by immense flocks of birds, particularly gannets, or Solan geese; and is rented from the Earl of Cassilis at £33 a year."—Description of Ayrshire.