26 A ddress of the Vice-President 



in Carlinwark Loch are described as having been formed by 

 strong piles of wood, driven into the moss or marl, on which 

 were placed large frames of black oak covered with soil.* 



And in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, 

 vol. 6, p. 114, we have a detailed account of the examination 

 of Cranoges in the loch of Dowalton, and also the White 

 Lake of Mertoun in Wigtownshire. 



On Dunhill, which is a rising ground towards the S.E. of 

 Dowalton loch, there was a circular Rath, or large circular 

 enclosure, surrounded by a deep ditch. The Rath, in extent, 

 was about 36 yards in diameter. Similar elevations occur 

 on the N. and S.W. sides of the loch, where Raths may have 

 been placed ; but if so they have been effaced by cultivation. 



No implement of stone has yet been found here ; but 

 bronze utensils, one like the vessels found in a moss near 

 Friars' Carse in 1790, iron hammers, and a ring of bronze, 

 with other relics. 



The next objects of interest in the district are 



The Moats, or Mote Hills. 



These are mounds of earth, generally, in the main, of a 

 natural formation, and supposed to have been used as courts 

 of justice. 



They are of frequent occuiTence ; but their history and 

 uses are little known. 



The name is understood to be derived from a word sig- 

 nifying a meeting, — and the great Council of England in 

 Saxon times was the Wittena gemot, or meeting of Wise 

 Men. 



The statutes of King Malcolm 2 commence in this way : 



" King Malcolm gave and distributed amongst his men, 

 all his lands of the realm of Scotland, and reserved nathing 

 in property to himself but the royal dignity and the Mute 

 hill in the town of Scone." 



* See Proceedings of the Society of Aiitic[uarie3, vol. 6, p. 126. 



