“We got into Rafay's carriage, which was a good ftrong open boat made in Norway. The wind had now rifen pretty high, and was againft us; but we had four ftout rowers, particularly a Macleod, a robust black-haired fellow, half naked, and bareheaded, fomething between a wild Indian and an Englifh tar. Dr. Johnfon fat high on the ftern, like a magnificent Triton. Malcolm fung an Erfe fong, the chorus of which was 'Hatyin foam foam eri,' with words of his own. The tune refembled 'Owr the muir amang the heather.' The boatmen and Mr. M'Queen chorufed, and all went well. At length Malcolm himfelf took an oar, and rowed vigoroufly. We failed along the coaft of Scalpa, a rugged ifland, about four miles in length.” [pp.184-185]

“Our boatmen fung with great fpirit. Dr. Johnfon obferved, that naval mufick was very ancient. As we came near the fhore, the finging of our rowers was fucceeded by that of reapers, who were bufy at work, and who feemed to fhout as much as to fing, while they worked with a bounding activity.” [p.187]

“Laft night Lady Rafay fhewed him the operation of wawking cloth, that is, thickening it in the fame manner as is done by a mill. Here it is performed by women, who kneel upon the ground, and rub it with both their hands, finging an Erfe fong all the time. He was afking queftions while they
were performing this operation, and, amidft their loud and wild howl, his voice was heard even in the room above.”

“Our boatmen were rude fingers, and feemed fo like wild Indians, that a very little imagination was neceffary to give one an impreffion of being upon an American river.” [p.315]
[The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides With S.Johnson, Boswell, 1785]