east-lothian-1924/05-039

Transcription

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

also have suffered, as there is a slight hollow on the summit. In wind-swept
gullies amongst the sand dunes between Gullane and North Berwick about
1/2 mile south of Eyebroughy are the remains of numerous small cairns, which
are believed to have been erected over Iron Age graves. At least thirty or
forty of these have been examined, but, as the most of them seemed to have
been previously disturbed, only a quantity of human bones and small fragments
of what seemed to have been cinerary urns were recovered. A few cists were
found. One interesting grave, quite different from all the others, was found
under a small cairn of stones. Built of stones of moderate size and covered
with a large slab it contained the remains of three adult skeletons but no other
relics. Against the northern end of the grave, but outside it, were four
[Marginal note] Reference wanted.
human skulls with the remains of the skeletons of which they formed part
below them. The oval-shaped grave measured about 4 feet in length by
about 3 feet in breadth and about 3 feet in depth.

Stone Circles. - Seven stone circles or the remains of circles have been
noted, of which only two seem to have escaped the hand of the spoiler.
They are all to be found in the upper Whitadder district, in which the
majority of the cairns are seen. None of them is formed of very big stones
or is of large diameter. Three varieties are represented, one being rather uncommon.
This is composed of very small stones, none rising more than 16 inches above ground.
There are four examples of this class, of which two are probably complete ; the
first on Kingside Hill (No. 240) measuring about 39 feet in diameter is composed
of thirty stones on the circumference, many set close together on the northern arc,
with a large stone near the centre just appearing above ground but sunk nearly
2 feet into the soil ; the second near Zadlee (No. 172) has only seven stones and
measures 27 feet in diameter. The setting on Spartleton Edge (No. 185) is also
of this category and shows a circle of ten or eleven stones. The monument has
been disturbed. The remaining circle of this class, on the northern slope of Penshiel
Hill (No. 241), is incomplete or perhaps is covered by a growth of peat for the greater
part. The Kingside Hill circle resembles to a certain extent the circle on Borrow-
stone Rig, Lauder (Berwickshire Inventory, No. 226), which is composed of thirty-two
stones rising 2 feet at most above the surface, with a stone lying 7 feet within the
circle. The " Nine Stones " Circle near Johnscleugh (No. 239) is in a class by itself.
With a diameter of about 22 feet it now contains eight stones, several of
which are displaced and overthrown. They are for the most part rough
boulders, the highest stone now standing being triangular in shape and rising
3 feet in height. The remaining two examples near Penshiel Tower (Nos. 242
243) have been formed of four monoliths each ; one has been entirely destroyed,
the stones having been dragged some distance out of their places, and the
other has only one monolith erect, a fine pillar 4 feet high, while three others
are overthrown.

Standing Stones. - Of standing stones seven are seen in the low country, five
of them being fine tall monoliths. " Loth's Stone " near Traprain Law (No. 149)
is the traditional burial site of King Loth, (cf. p. 99) and the stone at Easter
[Marginal note]? cf Luaths Stones Tough & Kildrummy Aberdeenshire.
Broomhouse near Dunbar (No. 174) bears three cup marks on one face.
There is no record or indication that any of these stones formed part of a
stone circle.

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