Chapter 8

Fig. 162.—Whetstone (1⁄2).

Whetstones.—These are also numerous, but it is difficult to draw a minute distinction between them and the polishers. They vary in length from 21⁄2to 61⁄2inches, and are mostly composed of hard claystone or indurated sandstone. One of them, judging from the only fragment which was found, was manufactured with great care, and had a small hole at one end for suspension. This fragment, which is here figured (Fig.162), measures 31⁄2inches long, 2 broad, and half an inch thick.

Fig. 163.—Whetstone (1⁄2).

Another is made of fine-grained sandstone, and shaped precisely similar to the sharpening-stones now used for scythes. Its dimensions are 51⁄2inches long,3⁄4inch broad, and1⁄2inch deep (Fig.163).

Funnel-shaped Holes.—Three flat portions of sandstone, each containing a small hole, opening up on both sides into funnel-like cavities. The stone here engraved is roughlycircular, about 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. The cavity at its mouth is about 1 inch in diameter,1⁄2an inch deep, and communicates with a similar one on the other side by a hole through which a small goose-quill can just pass. The holes in the other stones are precisely similar in shape, only the mouth of the funnel in one is one-third larger, and in the other about as much less; these differences being entirely dependent on the thickness of the stone (Fig.164).

Fig. 164.—Perforated Sandstone (1⁄2).

Pebbles.—Of these there were several hundreds found, scattered all over the island, varying in size from half an inch to 6 or 7 inches in diameter, the larger of which might have been used as anvils, others as heating-stones, sling-stones, etc.

Querns.—Out of eleven quern-stones, almost all of which were made of granite, only two could be positively stated to be under ones. Three of the upper ones were round coarse lumps, about 1 foot in diameter and 10 inches deep, and of these two appear to have been unfinished. One had merely a cup-shaped cavity on its top, but no hole; and the other, in addition to the cup, had the central hole partially bored from both sides. Neither of them had any marginal hole.

Four were circular, but rather flatter than usual, and measured a little over 1 foot in diameter.

One was oval-shaped and particularly well finished, length 15 inches, breadth 13, and depth 5. The diameter of the funnel at its mouth was 5 inches, and the lower portion of it was lengthened in a line with the main axis of the quern—evidently caused by the friction of the pivot on which it turned round. The smaller end, containing the hole for a handle, was curved downwards, so that its tip was 13⁄4inch lower than the under surface of the quern; another striking evidence of the long period the stone had been in actual use.

Fig. 165.—Spindle Whorl (1⁄1).

Fig. 166.—Polished Disc (1⁄2).

Spindle Whorl.—One spindle whorl (made of fine sandstone) is 13⁄4inch in diameter and5⁄8inch thick (Fig. 165).

Polished Discs.[32]—Two of these interesting objects have turned up on this crannog. One, though wanting a small segment of being a complete circle, is evidently unbroken, as it presents in its whole perimeter a finely cut edge. It is composed of a whitish micaceous stone, quite smooth onboth surfaces, but has no glossy appearance. It measures 41⁄2inches in diameter, and has a uniform thickness of a quarter of an inch (Fig.166).

Fig. 167.—Portion of Polished Disc (1⁄2).

The other, which appears to have been a complete circle, was broken into several portions, two of which have been recovered. These do not fit into each other, but they are so similar in composition, thickness, polish, and size of curvature, that there can be no doubt they belonged to the same disc. The arc of the larger fragment, which is very nearly a semicircle, indicates that the diameter of the completed circle would be 43⁄4inches. It is made of a hard, dark, compact stone, highly polished on both sides, and neatly cut at the circumference. It is a quarter of an inch thick at the edge, but becomes gradually a shade thicker towards the centre (Fig.167).

Fig. 168.—Stone Implement (1⁄2).

Oval implement with two hollowed surfaces.—This is a smooth oval-shaped stone with a wrought, circular, andcup-shaped depression on each side. Its length is 31⁄4inches, breadth 25⁄8, and thickness 1 inch. The largest diameter of the depression is 15⁄8inch, and its greatest depth1⁄2an inch. It is made of a hard grey trap rock, and, though well wrought all over, is not polished, nor does it exhibit any markings such as are seen on the ordinary hammer-stones, (Fig. 168). See page56.

Flint Scrapers.—Of these there are two. One, coarsely chipped out of a dark flint, is here figured (Fig. 169). It is roughly circular in shape, and about two inches in diameter. The other is a chip made by a single blow from the outside of a whitened nodule, and is only3⁄4of an inch in diameter.

Fig. 169.—Flint Scraper (1⁄1).

Fig. 170.—Jet Ring (1⁄1).

Rings of Lignite, etc.—Several bits of lignite or cannel coal were found, some of which showed marks of tools. One small thin bit seems to be the half of a flattened ring, circular on the inside (diameter1⁄2an inch), but only roughly rounded on the outside.

Ring.—A beautifully polished ring, having a diameter (external measurement) of 11⁄4inch (Fig.170).

Armlets.—Portions of two other rings considerably larger, like armlets, one slender, and the other massive and thick.

II. Object of Bone.

Pin.—A polished pin, length 23⁄4inches (Fig. 171).

Chisel.—An implement made by cutting a small leg-bone slantingly, so as to present a chisel-like edge. It is 43⁄4inches long (Fig.172).

Awl.—An awl-like instrument, 4 inches long.

Fig. 171.—Bone Pin (1⁄1).

Fig. 172.—Bone Chisel (2⁄3).

Pointed Implements.—Two small-pointed objects, showing marks of a sharp-cutting instrument, and another of a much larger size, being about 6 inches long.

Spatula.—Portion of a flat rib used as a spatula or knife. It is 6 inches long and3⁄4inch broad.

Knife Handle.—Portion of a shank-bone 2 inches long, hollow in centre, and cut straight across at both ends.

III. Objects of Horn.

Pick.—Deer-horn pick, made of portion of the horn (as a handle) and the first tine, and much used at point, and also on the back, the burr being almost entirely worn off. Length of the handle is 12 inches (Fig. 173).

Fig. 173.—Deer-horn Pick (1⁄3).

Fig. 174.—Implement of Horn of Roe Deer (1⁄3).

Club.—Hammer or club-like implement, having the head formed of 3 inches of the root of the horn and the handle of the first tine. This implement is much decayed by long maceration.

Spear-shaped Portion.—This weapon is cut lengthways out of the side of a large red-deer horn, and is 9 inches long and 11⁄2broad.

Pointed Object.—A slender object, 2 inches long, cut out of a horn lengthways, and sharp at both ends.

Handle.—Cut portion of a tine 3 inches long, and hollowed as if for the handle of a knife.

Pointed Tines.—A few of these show signs of havingbeen used. An implement made of the horn of roe-deer is here figured (Fig. 174).

IV. Objects of Wood.

A striking contrast between this collection and that from Lochlee crannog is the paucity of wooden implements. Indeed, here the only article worth noticing is a slender stave, like that of a milk-cog. It is 81⁄2inches long, and the end with the transverse groove is a shade thicker.

V. Objects of Metal.

(a.)Articles made of Iron.—Articles made of this metal are extremely few. Besides two portions so corroded that it is impossible to say what they might have been, there remains only one object to be described, viz., a small hand-dagger, much worn and oxidised. It is 6 inches long, and shows evidence of riveting at the end.

Fig. 175.—Object of Bronze (1⁄1).

Fig. 176.—Key (1⁄1).

(b.)Articles made of Bronze or Brass.—Fig. 175 represents a curiously-shaped ornament, reminding one of the head of a bee. The parts on its posterior aspect, corresponding to the two circular tuberosities in front, as seen in the drawing, are concave.

Key.—The key which is here figured is 11⁄2inch long (Fig. 176).

A strong wire, flattened, 41⁄2inches long, and two small thin plates riveted together, being a fragment of some undetermined object, are all that come under this head, with the exception of the bronze armlet referred to in Mr. MacFadzean's letter, but which has not come into my possession.[33]

VI. Miscellaneous Objects.

Beads.—One small yellowish bead of vitreous paste (Fig. 177). Another ribbed and made of green glazed ware (Fig. 179). Half of another, very similar to the last both in colour and composition, but considerably larger, and having the hole contracted about its middle by a raised circular ridge (Fig. 178).

Fig. 177 (1⁄1).Fig. 178(1⁄1). Beads.Fig. 179(1⁄1).

Potteryis more abundantly represented than at Lochlee, though of a similar character, and in both crannogs portions of Samian ware have been found.

Fig. 180 represents portion of a bowl of Samian ware, showing its characteristic moulding, the festoon and tassel, commonly called the egg-and-tongue border, and portions ofthe ornamental figures with which it was adorned. Its fine texture is of a uniform reddish colour, but the glaze has a redder tint. The diameter of the mouth of this vessel would be between 6 and 7 inches.

Fig. 180.—Portion of Samian Ware (1⁄1).

Fig. 181.—Pottery (2⁄3).

Three other fragments of similar ware, but of a more slender build, were collected. These might all belong to the same vessel, and they presented no appearance of ornaments.

Fig. 182.—Pottery (2⁄3).

Fig. 183.—Handle of Vessel (2⁄3).

Fig. 184.—Pottery (2⁄3).

Figs. 181 to 185 are illustrations of another kind of pottery. It is of a light colour, feels soft to the touch, and is mixed with coarse sand. Its thickness is somewhat variable, but rarely exceeds1⁄4of an inch. The fragmentsrepresented by Figs. 182 to 184 show small patches of a yellowish-green glaze.

Fig. 185.—Pottery (2⁄3).

Fig. 186 represents another class of pottery very different from the latter. It is nearly1⁄2an inch in thickness, and is altogether more massive, but contains no coarse sand, and its colour externally is a dull black.

Fig.186.—Pottery (2⁄3).Sectionof Fig. 186.

Organic Remains.—At his own request, a selection of the bones and horns collected during the investigations was forwarded to the late distinguished and much lamented Professor Rolleston of Oxford, for examination and comparison with those from Lochlee, but unfortunately, owing to the state of his health, he was unable to make a report. I may state, however, that theosseous remainswere verysimilar to those from Lochlee. The bones of the sheep, amongst which was an entire skull, were proportionately in greater numbers than either those of the pig or ox.Hornswere very abundant, but included only those of the red-deer and roe-deer. Judging from the amount of the remains of shell-fish (Lit. littorea,Patella vulgata, andTrochus), they must have been largely consumed as food.[34]

Section III.

Notice of a Crannog at Barhapple Loch, Glenluce, Wigtownshire.

(By the Rev.George Wilson, Glenluce, C.M.S.A. Scot.)

Barhapple Loch, on the farm of Derskelpin, lay a little to the south of the road from Portpatrick to Dumfries, just beyond the fourth milestone east from Glenluce, between two round hills called Derlauchlin and Barhapple, and about 285 feet above the level of the sea. The water-parting is at Barhapple Hill. The loch was about 1500 feet long, and 1000 feet broad, surrounded by deep peat bog, except on part of the east shore where it touched Barhapple, and rested on a bottom of deep soft peat. Although the water was only a few feet deep, its black colour and the inaccessible nature of the shore on the west side prevented the discovery of any trace of lake-dwellings. It was drained inthe autumn of 1878, and in November of that year Mr. Shearer, the tenant, told me that a small round patch of logs and stones had become visible.

On the 15th of October 1880, our President, the Earl of Stair, assembled a party to explore the crannog. There were present with him Admiral Sir John C. Dalrymple-Hay, Bart., M.P., and Sir Herbert E. Maxwell, Bart., M.P., two of our Vice-Presidents; the Hon. Hugh Dalrymple, Mr. J. Pendarves Vivian, M.P., Mr. Vans Agnew of Barnbarroch, Mr. J. Leveson Stewart of Glen Ogil, with Mr. R. W. Cochran-Patrick, M.P., and myself, the Secretaries of the Association. Our digging was stopped at a depth of two and a half or three feet by the influx of water, yet we found a good deal to interest us. This lake-dwelling, so far as explored, consists mainly of piles and platforms of wood, with rough stones at some points. It is about 280 feet from the west shore, but the gangway had run about 550 feet to the east shore at the foot of Barhapple, where there is hard ground. It is surrounded by a row of oak piles, enclosing a space 175 feet long from north to south, and 127 feet broad, and rounded at the angles. While the digging was going on Sir Herbert Maxwell took these measurements for me, and Mr. Vivian walked round on the soft peat and counted the piles in the outer row, of which 134 were visible. There is a slight gap at the west side, and a larger one on the south side, with the piles on each side of it more thinly set. An irregular line on the Plan marks off a part of the enclosure on the east side, which is about 9 inches higher than the rest, and is the only part that can be walked upon with ease in ordinary weather. After heavy rain the whole is still inaccessible, owing to the imperfect outfall of the drainage.

Thirty-one feet from the outside piles towards the south-east, there was a layer of rough, large stones, markedBonPlate III., about 15 feet long from north to south, and 11 feet broad. Seventeen feet farther north, and 18 feet from the east side, there was a spade-shaped platform, with the convex end to the north, about 26 feet in length and breadth. The Plan shows its appearance in February 1879, with several pieces of wood flooring towards the east side, and a layer of large rough stones atA. In October 1880 some of the logs had rotted away, and others were pierced through by the shoots of the marsh plants, which are gradually covering the partially drained area. Thirty feet to the west ofA, there was a circular layer of rough stones about 10 feet in diameter, surrounded by several rings of piles. On removing some loose dry peat on the east part ofA, we found a floor of oak logs, laid north and south, 10 feet 6 inches in length and 8 feet in breadth. The surface was somewhat flat; but this may have been caused by exposure to the weather. The interstices were closely packed with white clay and the sphagnum moss, so common in our bogs, with a few stakes driven between them. At the west or inner side of this floor there was a log 13 feet 6 inches long, 1 foot broad, and 8 inches deep. Beyond it was a layer of large rough stones from 9 to 12 inches deep, which had been disturbed by some idle visitors, so that its exact extent cannot be given. Under the stones was a thin layer of peat, then a log floor resting on clay and stones, and under that a second floor, the parts of which were sloping. Under the large oak log already mentioned lay a few birch logs sloping towards the north-west, and covering at the left side one angle of a frame 6 feet 6 inches square, made of four oak beams, that on the south-east side having two square-cut mortise holes, measuring 6 by 5 inches, and 4 feet apart, and that on the opposite side having one mortise hole with a piece of the upright still in it. In the angle between this frame and the south end of the large log there was a circular hearth of roughstones bedded in clay, and a similar hearth beyond the north-west angle, where there seems to have been another square frame without mortises. There were several inches in depth of ashes, with charred wood, and fragments of bone too small and wasted to indicate what animal they belonged to. West of the second hearth the following section was noted in descending series:—

(a.) Rough stones, 9 inches.(b.) Peat, 12 inches.(c.) Ashes, 5 inches.(d.) White clay, 3 or 4 inches.(e.) Ashes.

(a.) Rough stones, 9 inches.

(b.) Peat, 12 inches.

(c.) Ashes, 5 inches.

(d.) White clay, 3 or 4 inches.

(e.) Ashes.

Under the floor first described there was a layer of smaller sticks and branches of oak, hazel, and birch, and at the north-east we found under the branches a layer of the common bracken,Pteris aquilina. The influx of water prevented further examination, but at different places the spade struck on logs which could not be seen. The wet state of the peat, ashes, and clay made exact search difficult. Near the second hearth we found a long rude whetstone, a hammer-stone of water-rolled quartzite pebble, a fragment of smoothly-worked wood, 3 inches long, 2 broad, and1⁄2an inch thick, which may have been part of a ladle or large spoon, and a small branch like one's little finger, rudely pointed, and with an untrimmed bent head. When unpacked at the Museum, these pieces of wood had gone to pieces.

A trench cut from the hearths toBshowed logs and stones under the stone floor there, but not in any regular order. Under the stones, atC, we got two broad pieces of oak about 41⁄2feet long, which may have been parts of a canoe.

Near the beginning of the gangway, at the end of a log, there rolled from a labourer's spade a ring of unevenly polished cannel coal, which is shown in Fig. 187, full size.

The piles are pointed, and show the axe-marks distinctly.Two or three branches, 2 inches thick, had been severed by a single cut. The piles are from 6 to 8 inches thick, but I saw one a foot thick. One which was pulled up was 5 feet long. The Plan shows the radiating and curved arrangement of the piles.

Fig. 187.—Ring of Cannel Coal (1⁄1).

At the south-east of the crannog, a few feet from the edge, two piles 6 feet apart show where the gangway entered. Two or three are seen farther off, then about twenty at a place where the gangway seems to have widened to nearly 12 feet, and beyond these are two other pairs, the last being about 100 feet from the shore. Beyond that the piles have rotted away through exposure to the weather in dry seasons. There are decayed remains of timber at various places round the shore.

While we were digging at the crannog, Sir Herbert Maxwell, who is an experienced observer of lake-dwellings, explored the whole circuit of the loch, and reported that he had found some logs laid like a corduroy road. I did not see them at the time, and when I went back frost and flood had hidden the traces of them. At the letterCI have indicated pretty nearly the spot where they were seen. Perhaps another platform was there.

In April 1881, when verifying some details, I observed a few piles at the point markedD, between the crannog and the north shore, and reached them with difficulty. The nearest is about 120 feet from the shore, and is the first in a straight line of four piles, set at distances of 6, 10, and 8 feet, with two others 6 and 7 feet to the left, nearly opposite the second and third. AtEI have marked the probable position in the peat bog of an object described by me in "Notes on the Crannogs and Lake-Dwellings in Wigtownshire," in theProceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. ix. page 337,—"Barhapple Loch, four miles east of Glenluce, close to the coach road.—James MʽCulloch, one of my deacons, told me that about the year 1842, in cutting peat about 40 yards from the west side of this loch, he came on a circle of stakes (about a dozen) from the thickness of the arm to that of the leg, and about 5 feet long; the heads at least 2 feet below the surface. The stakes were of hazel, pointed by four axe-cuts, 31⁄2to 4 inches broad, and some of them 5 inches long. The circle was cut away at two times, and was at least 5 feet in diameter; coarse branches were twisted among the stakes like wicker-work. No trace of clay." In 1871 I reported this as indicating that some dwellings might yet be found in this loch. It seems to have been amarsh-dwelling, like some of those found near lakes in Switzerland.

The crannogs were probably used as places of refuge, although they may also have been occupied constantly. There is often a fort on the top of some neighbouring hill, to which the lake-dwellers may have gone when the lochs were frozen and the crannogs open to invasion. We have an example of this at Machermore, Glenluce. The two round hills between which Barhapple Loch lay have both beenploughed, and show no trace of fortification or dwellings. But beyond Barhapple, and half a mile eastward, on the farm of Barlea, a small knoll south of Barfad rises out of the bog like a peninsula. It is nameless on the Ordnance Survey Maps, but on an old map of Blairderry and Barlea, which must be above a hundred years old, it is calledDrumearnachan. There are traces here of an old village or settlement, although it has been partially ploughed. At the lowest part of Barfad there is a ring of turf and stone 17 by 16 feet in diameter. 138 feet to the south are the remains of a wall or breast-work 126 feet long and 12 broad. Beyond it several foundations are seen in a straight line north and south. At 96 feet is the bottom of a cairn 30 feet long and 22 broad, and 40 feet to the left of it a roughly-paved circular floor, 6 feet in diameter, which has been saved from the plough by having a large boulder rolled on to it. Thirty-six feet beyond the cairn is a 9-feet circular foundation of stones; 26 feet farther on an oval lying across the line, 15 by 13 feet; 8 feet farther on, an 11-foot ring; 59 feet beyond that, a small circular patch of stones; and another, 45 feet farther on, with a low grassy cairn 10 feet in diameter, 36 feet off at the west. Sixty-two feet south-east from the last foundation in the straight row is a circular turf and stone ring, 101⁄2feet thick, 31⁄2high, and 48 feet in diameter over all, with the entrance-gap at thesouth-west. On the 6-inch Ordnance Map it is marked "site of cairn," but I have never found any one who had heard of a cairn there. Part of the enclosed space is somewhat stony, and the position of the entrance-gap is peculiar, all the others I have seen or heard of having it at the south-east. Many years ago, the late tenant, Mr. MʽIlwraith of Kilfillan, asked me to go and see this ring, because he thought it had been surrounded by two oval rows of earth-fast stones. I went and made careful measurements, with this result, that thestonesmayhave been arranged in order, but there has been too much disturbance by the plough to make this more than a guess. For a long time I regarded such rings as small forts; but have lately begun to think they may have been places of interment. I have heard of three instances in which the plough, in levelling down such rings, turned up crocks of coarse pottery, not in the enclosed space, but in the rings themselves. The attention of observers elsewhere is called to this fact.

Plate III.BARHAPPLE LOCH GLENLUCE 1881

Plate III.

BARHAPPLE LOCH GLENLUCE 1881

Half a mile due north from the Barhapple crannog, passing Knockiecore, Barrel Hill, and Derniemore Hill on the left, and Tamrieroach Moss, Derhagie Hill, and Blairderry Hill on the right, just beyond the old military road, we reach a low rocky hill surrounded by a peat bog, which unfortunately has lost its ancient name, and is called from its broad shape the Braid Hill. It is on the farm of High Dergoals; and Mr. Dougan, the tenant, told me that many years ago he found, in cutting peat at the south side of it, at a depth of 4 feet, three or four stakes, apparently of oak, 3 or 4 inches in circumference, and pointed by a single cut. The higher ground is rocky and uneven, and scattered over it are the remains of several small cairns and rings. At the west end is a 10-foot ring, a cairn with the remains of a stone grave in the centre, and beyond it two others lying east and west, with a foundation between them, 27 by 14 feet, with the corners much rounded. Towards the middle there are two circular foundations, three others on the north slope, three on the south, and three more at the east end, all so indistinct that it is difficult to say whether they have been huts or cairns. On the slope at the east end there are two rings. It is impossible to know whether either of these sites has been occupied by the Barhapple lake-dwellers. There are no others near it, although there are several other ancient village sites in Glenluce, some of which I hope todescribe in a future volume. There have been four other lochs in Old Luce parish with crannogs. The frequent occurrence of the syllablesder,dir, ordar, in the names of the places near Barhapple, shows that long ago they were clothed with trees. Here is a topographic rhyme, by some unknown native bard, communicated to me by Mr. Thomas MʽCormick, farmer at Mindork, in Kirkcowan:—

"Knocketie and Knockietore,Laniegoose and Laniegore,Dirnefuel and Dirniefranie, weeBarsolas and Derrnagie."

"Knocketie and Knockietore,

Laniegoose and Laniegore,

Dirnefuel and Dirniefranie, wee

Barsolas and Derrnagie."

Section IV.

Notice of the Excavation of a Crannog at Buston, near Kilmaurs.

Discovery of the Crannog.—About half-way between Stewarton and Kilmaurs there is, on the farm of Mid Buston, the property of the Earl of Eglinton, a shallow basin, now converted into a richly cultivated meadow, but which formerly, as represented in Bleau'sAtlas, formed the bed of a lake of considerable size called Loch Buston. Within the recollection of the present generation this area was a mossy bog in summer and a sheet of water in winter; and about fifty years ago, when the present tenant, Mr. Robert Hay, came to reside on the farm, there was a small mound or island situated about its centre, locally known as theSwan Knowe, on account of the numbers of wild swans that formerly used to frequent it. When subsequently engaged in reclaiming the bog, Mr. Hay states that as many as thirteen cart-loads of timber were removed from the "Knowe," and he distinctly remembers that, in consequence of the difficulty of detaching some of the beams mortised into others, his father then made the remark, "there maun haebeen dwallers here at ae time." He also states that until the land was thoroughly redrained, some five years ago, there was still a considerable mound to be seen; but at the beginning of December 1880, when I first visited the locality, there was hardly any elevation to distinguish it from the surrounding field. Notwithstanding Mr. Hay's knowledge of the structure of the "Knowe," which he supposed to have been erected by one of the old Earls for the purpose of facilitating the shooting of wild-ducks—a purpose for which it had frequently served himself,—the merit of detecting here the ruins of an ancient lake-dwelling is due to Mr. D. MʽNaught, schoolmaster of Kilmaurs. The history of the discovery is most interesting, and reflects much credit on the discoverer; but the story is best told by himself. Having a faint recollection that Mr. MʽNaught was one of a group of critical sceptics who visited Lochlee while the investigations there were in progress, and maintained that the crannog was merely the site of an old "whisky still," I was curious to know the circumstances and exact process of ratiocination which had now actually culminated in placing him in the position of being a discoverer in this same line of research; so, after the importance of the crannog had been established by some valuable "finds," I wrote a note asking if he would kindly oblige me by a written statement of whatever information he could supply on the subject. The following is his reply:—

"Kilmaurs,January 15th, 1881."Dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in replying to yours received this morning."About five years ago, when engaged in levelling the large drain that passes Buiston crannog, I passed over the very spot, but being utterly ignorant on the subject I noticed nothing peculiar. When passing through the stackyard on my way home I noticed the old beams, but on being told that they were from some old house I thought no more of the matter. The subjecthad so completely escaped my memory that even when I had seen the Lochlee beams they failed to recall what had formerly arrested my attention at Buiston. My scepticism at Lochlee arose from the fact that I failed to trace the shape and construction of the crannog as detailed inChambers's Encyclopædia, which was the only authority then at my disposal."I never heard anything more of the Buiston crannog till the week of the discovery. Talking with one of the farmers in my own house, the conversation turned on furniture, when bog-oak was mentioned. He remarked that there was as much lying in Buiston stackyard as would stock the parish. At once I remembered what I had formerly seen, and though the recollection was hazy, on afterthought I felt almost sure that I had noticed mortised holes, and thatthe beams were identical with those I had seen at Lochlee. Next day, as soon as I had closed the school I went up to the farm. Mr. Hay was inclined to pooh-pooh the matter, and said that the place was 'juist a timmer house ane o' the auld Earls had put up to shoot deuks.' Going out to the stackyard I found that the ricks had been built on the old timber, which made excellent 'bottoms.' I looked about for an odd bit, and did eventually get a splinter, but not sufficient for identification. After getting rid of the old man, his youngest son and I set to work at the bottom of one of the ricks, and pulled one of the beams so far out as enabled me to saw off the mortised joint. This I sent to theStandardoffice, where you saw it on the Saturday morning following. I then went down to the site of the crannog, but it had become so dark that I had to feel my way. I eventually kicked against something which seemed to be an upright sticking through the soil. I went up next morning early, and when I had seen the three uprights afterwards pointed out to you, and the mortised beams stuck in the side of the drain, I no longer had any doubts. I therefore at once wrote to Mr. Cochran-Patrick, and penned a cautious intimation for theStandard, which the editor accepted on trust from me. You know the rest.—Yours truly,"D.MʽNaught."Dr. Munro."

"Kilmaurs,January 15th, 1881.

"Dear Sir,—I have much pleasure in replying to yours received this morning.

"About five years ago, when engaged in levelling the large drain that passes Buiston crannog, I passed over the very spot, but being utterly ignorant on the subject I noticed nothing peculiar. When passing through the stackyard on my way home I noticed the old beams, but on being told that they were from some old house I thought no more of the matter. The subjecthad so completely escaped my memory that even when I had seen the Lochlee beams they failed to recall what had formerly arrested my attention at Buiston. My scepticism at Lochlee arose from the fact that I failed to trace the shape and construction of the crannog as detailed inChambers's Encyclopædia, which was the only authority then at my disposal.

"I never heard anything more of the Buiston crannog till the week of the discovery. Talking with one of the farmers in my own house, the conversation turned on furniture, when bog-oak was mentioned. He remarked that there was as much lying in Buiston stackyard as would stock the parish. At once I remembered what I had formerly seen, and though the recollection was hazy, on afterthought I felt almost sure that I had noticed mortised holes, and thatthe beams were identical with those I had seen at Lochlee. Next day, as soon as I had closed the school I went up to the farm. Mr. Hay was inclined to pooh-pooh the matter, and said that the place was 'juist a timmer house ane o' the auld Earls had put up to shoot deuks.' Going out to the stackyard I found that the ricks had been built on the old timber, which made excellent 'bottoms.' I looked about for an odd bit, and did eventually get a splinter, but not sufficient for identification. After getting rid of the old man, his youngest son and I set to work at the bottom of one of the ricks, and pulled one of the beams so far out as enabled me to saw off the mortised joint. This I sent to theStandardoffice, where you saw it on the Saturday morning following. I then went down to the site of the crannog, but it had become so dark that I had to feel my way. I eventually kicked against something which seemed to be an upright sticking through the soil. I went up next morning early, and when I had seen the three uprights afterwards pointed out to you, and the mortised beams stuck in the side of the drain, I no longer had any doubts. I therefore at once wrote to Mr. Cochran-Patrick, and penned a cautious intimation for theStandard, which the editor accepted on trust from me. You know the rest.—Yours truly,"D.MʽNaught.

"Dr. Munro."

On the afternoon of the Saturday referred to in the above letter (December 4th, 1880), I accompanied Mr. MʽNaught to thequondam"Knowe," and in a short time, bya few tentative diggings, the existence here of the remains of a crannog was put beyond a doubt. Our Secretary, R. W. Cochran-Patrick, Esq., M.P., who had already been communicated with, then brought the matter under the notice of the Honourable G. R. Vernon, Auchans, as Commissioner for the Earl of Eglinton; and after due deliberation it was agreed to make an immediate investigation of the crannog on behalf of the proprietor. Accordingly, on the 10th December 1880, six men were started to work in presence of Mr. Vernon, Mr. Cochran-Patrick, and several ladies and gentlemen interested in the discovery. It is needless to describe the subsequent management of the excavations. The peculiar and absorbing interest excited by the variety of the finds during the first few days soon developed the true spirit of inquiry among all concerned, and even the old and highly-respected farmer gave up his long-cherished theory of the "duck-shooting," and ultimately rendered valuable aid by protecting the trenches from the prying curiosity of the general public, and picking up relics from the stuff wheeled out, which became visible by long exposure to weather and heavy rains. By general consent, at leastnem. con., I was appointed custodier of the relics; and now, acting on the old saying that possession is nine points of the law, I have assumed the rôle of historian.

Method of Excavating.—The excavations were commenced by making an explorative trench through what appeared to be the centre of the crannog, following as a guide the long diameter of the lake basin. This trench was from 2 to 3 feet deep, and about 5 feet wide, and its general direction lay in a line running fromN.W.toS.E.The débris was wheeled sufficiently far not to cover the probable area of the island, and carefully examined, but nothing of importance was found, except a small spindle whorl (Fig. 196), and a fragment of a quern-stone, till the trench reached thesouthern margin of the crannog. Here, after the tops of a few upright piles were exposed, a large beam was encountered, lying right across the trench, beyond which the stuff turned up from the bottom consisted almost entirely of broken bones and ashes. This was at once recognised as the wished-for midden, and its discovery at this early stage was fortunate, inasmuch as its examination would soon decide, with a trifling outlay, the quality of the crannog as a relic depôt. To this, therefore, attention was exclusively devoted, till the severity of the weather compelled us to abandon working altogether. The depth of clay and soil above the midden was about 21⁄2feet, and after removing this, its remaining contents were wheeled to a separate place, so as to facilitate a more careful inspection after exposure to winter weather. The large number of rare and valuable relics discovered during the ten days the men were thus employed induced the Earl of Eglinton to sanction a further outlay in the prosecution of these researches; and it was then agreed that nothing less than the removal of the débris over the whole area of the crannog would satisfy archæological demands. The tenant also very kindly consented to leave this portion of his field untilled, so that there was no necessity to resume work till the weather became really suitable for such an undertaking.

Early in April very dry weather, though cold, set in, and on the farmer representing that more favourable circumstances for digging could not be expected, the investigation of the crannog was resumed.

While clearing out the refuse-heap, the position of the surrounding piles immediately to the left of the original trench was readily ascertained to be arranged in three or four circles. With these as guides, it was an easy matter for the workmen to clear away the soil right round the central portion of the crannog without the necessity ofconstant supervision. The surface soil, which consisted of fine clay, varying in depth from about 6 inches at the centre of the mound to 2 feet beyond the outer circle of stockades, was first wheeled away, and, as no relics were expected here, there was no time wasted in searching for them. Afterwards the dark heterogeneous under stratum of débris was carefully removed from above the wood-work and examined, though not with the same care as the contents of the refuse-heap. Here, however, a few important relics were discovered, among which are an ornamented gold spiral finger-ring, a small earthen crucible, and some fragments of pottery. Having completed this broad annular trench, the débris remaining on the central portion was taken away, but, contrary to expectation, nothing was found in it beyond the evidence of a few fireplaces, some slag, and one or two large wooden pins.

Fig. 188.—General View of Buston Crannog, looking northwards. The water in foreground marks the position of Refuse-bed.(From a Photograph by Mr. Lawrie.)

Fig. 188.—General View of Buston Crannog, looking northwards. The water in foreground marks the position of Refuse-bed.

(From a Photograph by Mr. Lawrie.)

Structure of Island.—Notwithstanding the havoc committed on the wood-work of the crannog by long exposure to atmospheric agencies before it finally sunk under the protective influence of the muddy water, and subsequently, by the ruthless hands of the agriculturist, there still remained sufficient materials to give one not only a general, but particular and instructive notion of the mechanical principles on which the island was constructed. Its substance, as far as could be ascertained by digging holes here and there, was made up of layers of the stems of trees, chiefly birch; intermingled with which were occasionally found various other materials, such as brushwood, heather, moss, soil, and large stones. Penetrating deeply this heterogeneous mass, towards its margin, were numerous piles, forming a series of concentric and nearly circular stockades, which were separated from each other by an interval of 4 or 5 feet. On the south side there were four distinct circles to be seen, but on the north only three could be detected, as thethird outermost appeared to have merged into the external one; and, in accordance with this diminished number of circles, the breadth of the stockaded zone also diminished. The piles in the inner circle, which were strongly made, and showed evidence of having been shaped and squared by sharp-cutting instruments, were uniformly arranged at a distance of from 4 to 5 feet, and enclosed an area more of the form of an ellipse than a circle (measuring 61 feet by 56), while those in the second and third circles were more irregularly, but generally more closely, set. All these uprights (except a few on the north side of the inner circle) were linked together by horizontal beams having square-cut holes, through which the upper ends of the piles passed. The horizontal beams were arranged in two ways. Some lay along the circumference and bound together all the uprights in the same circle to each other, while others took the radial position and connected each circle together. Some of the latter were long enough to embrace three circles, and when this was the case I have noticed that the upright in the middle circle was sometimes firmly caught in a deep cut in the transverse, instead of passing through a mortised hole (see Fig. 190). Although the uprights in the inner circle were not linked together circumferentially along the whole course of the horizontal beams, the particular construction of the log pavement on the north side rendering this unnecessary, every one of them had a radial beam, directed from within outwards, which kept it from yielding to lateral pressure. This purpose was equally well served in several ways; sometimes the inner end of the radial beams pressed tightly against the upright, at other times the former projected half-way into the log pavement, where its end was firmly fixed by a thick pin passing through it into the under structures of the island, and its middle contained either a notch or mortised hole for holding the latter inposition. The external ends of these radial beams were occasionally observed to be continuous with additional strengthening materials, such as wooden props and large stones.

The main object of the whole of this elaborate structural system was to give stability to the island, afford fixed points on its surface, and prevent the superincumbent pressure of whatever buildings may have been erected over it from causing the general mass to bulge outwards—objects which appeared to have been most effectually attained.

The piles in the outer circle were merely round posts, smaller and more closely placed than those in the inner circles, being sometimes only a few inches apart, and appeared to have been bound together by a transverse rail, into which their tops were inserted after the manner of a hurdle. Portions of these rails, pierced with holes, were found at the south-east side, though none actually in position; so that the inference that the outer stockade was intended as a fence or bulwark seems quite legitimate. In support of this view I may state that nowhere along its course were the piles connected together by horizontal beams, either circumferentially or radially, nor did they penetrate deeply, so that for giving stability to the island the outer circle would be of little use.

Log Pavement.—Like the other crannogs examined by me, this one also had its central portion roughly paved with wooden beams like railway sleepers. On looking at these beams carefully it was observed that many of them, especially those made of oak, had also holes at their extremities, and that the plan of being linked and fixed together by stout wooden pins was by no means peculiar to the marginal portion of the crannog. Here, however, they lay mostly in a radial position, and on the south side; some were distinctly seen to be joined with the uprights in the inner circle withone end, while the outer, which pointed to the centre, was firmly pinned to the wood below. In several parts this general network of large beams was covered over by a pavement made of small round logs, mostly of birch, and placed close together, but, being soft and easily removed, I could not be certain whether or not it extended over the whole area. If so, it must have been a secondary pavement formed after the crannog was inhabited, as marks of fire, with slag and ashes, were found in two or three places lying immediately on the large oak beams below it.

On the north side of the crannog the uprights in the inner circle were not linked together circumferentially by horizontal beams, because (as I have already remarked) the different structure of the log pavement here rendered this plan unnecessary. The reason of this was, that on this side a considerable segment of the log pavement was built up, for a depth of 2 feet or so, of several layers of those round logs of soft wood, laid transversely to each other, and carefully arranged flush with the outer edge of the uprights, so that the only direction in which the latter were free was counteracted by the radial transverses alone (see Fig. 190).

The space between this portion of the log pavement and the next circle of stockades was filled up with layers of turf and moss, the depth of which corresponded with that of the built-up edge of the log pavement. After removing the turf and moss from this space in one or two places, we came on the wood of the island, which here consisted entirely of birch-trees with the bark on, and looking as fresh as if they had been recently cut. The heather and moss also looked quite fresh, but soon, after exposure to the air, everything turned black. (See Plate IV.)

Remains of Dwelling-house.—Over the area of the log pavement there were here and there the remains of large uprights, which appeared to have been used as supports forsome sort of dwelling-house. On the north side, a few feet from the margin of the log pavement, there were three or four of these, as if forming another circle, one of which I extracted with difficulty and found it to be 8 feet long, 7 of which were imbedded in the structure of the island. It was neatly formed of a rectangular shape (10 inches by 6), and its downward end was cut and pointed as if for insertion into a mortised hole. The centre of the log pavement was occupied by a mass of ashes, charcoal, and stones, forming a bed about 21⁄2feet thick, being nearly the entire depth of the mound above the wood-work, and a little to the west of this, and situated between two large square-shaped uprights, there was a thin bed of charcoal and burnt straw, together with some flat stones covered with a quantity of slag. On the east side, near the circle of piles, conclusive evidence of another fireplace was observed, but no well-formed hearths were anywhere met with.

Back to Index Next