Samuel Lewis, in
A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837), described the Scalp thus: "A deep natural chasm in the mountain, forming a
defile with lofty and shelving ramparts on each side, from which large detached masses of
granite many tons of weight have fallen, on each side large masses of detached rock are heaped together in wild confusion, apparently arrested in their descent, and threatening at every moment to crush the traveller by their fall." Approximately 50 years later,
M. J. B. Baddeley, writing of the attraction for a tourist
guidebook, summarised the location thus: "The view from the defile is good but not of particular interest, and the excursion is not one to be recommended to people whose time is limited." ==References==