sutherland-1911/02_038

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. -- xxxix

An impressive monument of a different shape is the "Clach Mhic
Mhios" (No. 474), a huge slab 11' high and nearly 5' broad towards
its upper extremity and less at base, raised up on the moor near the
head of Glen Loth. It is the more remarkable from being set with
its broad end uppermost.
None of the other standing-stones are particularly noticeable.

IRON SMELTING.

Wherever heaps of scoria or slag, indicating the sites of early
iron workings, were met with, they have been recorded. These are
situated usually on the banks of burns, and twice they were observed
in the immediate vicinity of brochs (Nos. 393 and 463). That these
heaps are the refuse from prehistoric smeltings seems probable from
the remote situations in which they are found.

STONE ROWS.

Included among the miscellaneous monuments, though their
sepulchral character has in some cases elsewhere been definitely
ascertained, are various settings of stones rows. The settings on
Learable Hill (No. 381, fig. 54) have been noted before, and appear
to represent the remains of at least four different groups, each
composed of numerous parallel or radiating rows. Associated in
locality with them is a stone circle (No. 374, fig. 50), an excavated
cairn of the Bronze Age (No. 364), and numerous mounds, presumably
sepulchral, but the connection of any one of them with the rows is in
no case apparent. The other two settings (Nos. 378 and 379) have been
observed for the first time, nor is the relation of either of them to any
sepulchral construction obvious. It is noteworthy that all these
settings are situated within a short distance of each other in the
Strath of Kildonan, close by the border of the country of Caithness.
In no other part of the county of Sutherland have such settings been
observed, nor elsewhere in Scotland, except in the neighbouring
country of Caithness, has their existence been recorded. In England
they are said to be found on Dartmoor, in Cornwall, in Northumber-
land, and also in Wales.

RECTANGULAR SETTINGS OF STONES.

Lastly, attention may be directed to the object known as "Lettie's
Grave" (No. 520, plate X.), in Rogart Parish, and the similar construc-
tions situated in its immediate vicinity. There are small rectangular
enclosures, measuring interiorly some 5' or 6' square, formed of longish
stones laid on edge, and, in the case of the first-mentioned, with
upright stones still erect at two corners. As the other corners have,
however, been disturbed, it is impossible to say if they also were
marked by similar stones or not. The meaning or purpose of these
constructions is not apparent.

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