OS1/33/35/79

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 79
[continued from page 78]

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

One of them measured in length about 7 feet. At a distance of about half
a mile from Melness, there are several heaps of stones, and ruins of small
circular buildings scattered at various distances on a rising ground
near the sea. The circular buildings are said to have been folds erected ------- Cattlefold written on Plan
to guard the younger cattle from the wolves. No account is given of these
heaps. though, from the size and situation of them, it would seem
a battle had been fought on the spot. Druim na Coup is famous in
this country for a battle fought there between the Mackays and the
Sutherlands in which the Mackays obtained a complete though mourn-
full victory, for their aged chieftain was accidentally slain by Jomhar
Macmathan, a poltroon, who had been spurred on by the contemptuous
carriage of his wife, to engage in the contest of heroes. It must not be
omitted, that Matheson's head was fixed on a pole, at a place called
from that circumstance, Cnocan an Ceann, the hillock of the head. ------- Not shown in New Stat. Acc. [Statistical Account]
Caistal a' Bharruich, a structure so ancient, that there is no consistent ------- Called Castle Barrich in New Stat [Statistical] Account
tradition concerning it. Perhaps it was possessed by John Mackay
Abarach, the greatest name for heroism in this part of the Highlands;
and what renders this conjecture, the more plausible, there is a cave
in the rock upon which the Castle is built called Leabuidh Eoin Abaruich ------- Not shown in N. Stat. [New Statistical] Account
i.e. John of Lochaber's Bed. The black and grey eagles build their
nests in Island na Coomb and the Whiting Head

In replying to remarks on Antiquities &c, in the parish
the Superintendent of examiners will supply all the local
information he can obtain, and state what steps he has taken
to obtain such in formation.

By Order
P. Daniels
Corp R.E. [Corporal Royal Engineers]