OS1/33/35/78

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 78
[continued from page 77]

Extracts from Old Statistical Account 1792. ------- [Examiners replies to each of the underlined portions]

Hills, Lakes, and Rivers. A semicircular chain of Mountains
passes nearly through the middle of the parish, the principal
of which are Knoc Rheacadan, ( The Watchman's Hill ) Ben ------- See below - Cnoc Rheacadan not noticed in
Laoghal, and Ben Hope. Ben Laoghal is almost a perpendicular ------- the New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account]
rock deeply furrowed, and about half a mile high. As it declines
towards the West, it is broken into several craggy points, on one ------- This is not Correct What
which are seen the remains of a building, called by the country ------- is referred to is a Mass of Solid rock and is
people Caisteal nan Druidhich (the Druids Castle) ------- Authenticated in Name Sheets as "An Caisteal"
Ben Laoghal is famed in the Songs of the bards, as the scene of the death
of Dermid, a young man of such extraordinary beauty, that no female
heart, of that age, could resist; and withal of such prowess, that even
Fingal, whose wife he had seduced, would not himself attack him,
[&] found means to get him slain by a boar. He and the Lady, or the boar, ------- Vide Name Sheets
it is not yet determined which) lie buried at the foot of the Mountain.
From the foot of Ben Hope to the Whiting Head on the West, and as far
as Tongue Bay on the east, the Moine a long tract of hilly desert, ------- A' Mhòine Written &c.
covered with dark heath, and interspersed with greyish rocks,im-
passable bogs, and stagnant pools of brownish water, presents
a prospect uniformly rugged and dreary.
The parish of Tongue abounds in mineral springs; but none of
them have as yet been applied to medical purposes. The most
remarkable is at Sculomy, about a mile from Cnoc Rheacadan. ------- Sgulomie & Cnoc nan Fhreaceadain " Written &c.
It has a strong sulphurous taste & smell, resembling, it is said,
the Moffat Waters. ------- This has no Connection with this County or Ph. [Parish]
The coast is in general high and rocky, and is intersected by seve-
ral small creeks, in one of which ( Port Vaisgaig) there is a quarry ------- Port an Fhasgaidh written and described
of grey slate, and another of excellent flags, both easily wrought.
The great cave of Fraisgill called Uaidh-Mhòr-Fhraisgill ------- Written &c.
extends more than half a mile underground, it is about 50 feet
high and 20 feet width at the entrance, and grows narrow by
degrees, till at last a man can scarcely creep in it.
Antiquities:- At Melness there are the remains of an ancient
building, but so ruinous, and so covered with earth, that its original
form cannot be distinctly traced. It is called Dun Bhuidh, the Yellow heap, ------- Site of Dun Buidhe, [ ?]
and supposed to be erected by Dornadilla, king of the Scotch.
The skeleton of two men were found buried near it some years ago.
[continued on page 79]