OS1/1/78/66

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 66
Parish of Rhynie
[continued from page 65

Description Continued - but without any foundation, or other trace of included buildings. There is a well in the middle of it, to all appearance having been puddled, but now nearly filled up with stones, to prevent sheep falling into it, but which must have been very deep, and formed with care, as there still is the appearance of a constant supply of water in it. The Wall is chiefly composed of small stones piled up Cairnwise, sloping towards both sides; without any sign of masonry, which having been subjected to the action of an intense heat, is to a considerable extent vitrified or converted into coherent masses of slag, resembling lava or the Scoria of a forge. Its dimensions on an average are, height of rampart about ten links, base of [?ditto, meaning rampart] about 60 links. The entrance to it is on the north east side where there is a narrow inclined plane of the same materials as the wall both inside and outside of the Fort: and the remains of a road may be traced, winding up to it, on this side of the mountain. The lower line consists of the remains of a low wall or dike of stones passing round the mountain about half way down the sides, but at an unequal distance from the fort, receding farther from it on the west, and approaching nearest at the east, where the entrance to the fort was. Here the opening in it for the road above mentioned forms a sort of [? - entrant?] angle; in the outward opening of which a pit or trench was formed to confine the approach; but now filled up. Of the origin or mode of construction of such Forts nothing certain is known, and conjectures are various. Some conceive that they are Craters of []