240 Carlingwark T.och and its Crannogs. 



Urr. All the little islands which now adorn the loch were then 

 submerged to a depth of at least seven or eight feet, and only the 

 top of the rocky part of the Fir Island would be visible, if visible 

 at all. It was only in 1765 when the loch was partly drained by 

 the formation of the canal from the Buchan to the Dee that these 

 islands came prominently into view. Tradition says that the Fir 

 Island was the site of an iron forge where Edward I. shod his 

 horses when passing through Galloway in 1300. It is difficult to 

 believe this time-honoured tradition, because at that time the 

 island would be practically under water. The question, however, 

 might be easily settled by running a trench or two towards the 

 rock without in any way damaging the trees, when some evidence 

 either of the existence of a forge or Crannog may be found. 



On the Kirkland side of the loch there are two or three 

 recesses built ii to the bank, the use of which puzzles visitors. 

 These were used as store houses for the marl raised from the 

 loch, and are of no antiquarian value. 



Carlingwark Loch has in the past proved a prolific source of 

 archaeological relics. They have been numerous, the most im- 

 portant being canoes of an early Celtic period, a stone hammer, 

 supposed to be Druidical, ancient horse-shoes, which consisted of 

 a solid piece of iron made to cover the whole of tlie hoof. On the 

 inside these shoes were hollow so as not to press on the soft part 

 of the foot. Several large stag heads were also found. A fine 

 bronze sword was found in 1873 ; portions of a bronze sword, and 

 a plain bronze ring in 1885, a bronze cauldron in 1886, etc. In 

 other parts of the parish and vicinity many other bronze articles 

 were found, such as a bronze mask in 1820, stone coffins, carved 

 urns, and several implements of warfare, all of which bronze 

 articles prove that the parish and the loch must have been the 

 scene of an important Celtic settlement, either in the late " Bronze 

 Age " or the early " Iron Age." Such finds ought to stimulate ut> 

 to make greater exertions and more exhaustive researches wher- 

 ever we have evidence of the footsteps of our pre-historic fore- 

 fathers. And I not only hope, but almost feel sure, that everv 

 encouraKement will be given to such research. 



