Field Meetings. 115 



\'ard in Colvend. There is probably not a locli of any size in the 

 district that has not one or more. A friend who has devoted 

 some time and pains to in(juiry on the subject infonns us that 

 Lochaber is the only one near at hand where he has failed (as yet) 

 to find them. There is a beautiful one in Loch Kindar ; a large 

 and most interesting one in Loch Arthur ; others in Milton, 

 Auchenreoch, Loch Urr, &c. In Colvend at least three of the 

 lochs have crannogs. The drained Cloak Loch has a rather 

 unique structure which may be classed with them. It is placed 

 on the solid natural rock. In the case of Lochrutton some circum- 

 stances suggest that the crannog now under consideration (and of 

 which the area has not yet been determined) was one of a group 

 which dotted the loch, at a time possibly when its area was more 

 extensive than it is now. The promontory on the Lochside shore, 

 opposite the crannog, has obviously been a place of strength or 

 residence. A trench has been dug- upon the landward side, which 

 would convert it into an island in a high state of the water ; and 

 it is protected on that side by a bank thrown up from the cutting-, 

 and on the water side by a facing of large stones. Bones and 

 teeth of cattle have been got on the promontory plentifully in 

 dry years. Similar finds have been made on the " Wee Island," 

 towards the west side of the loch. Within the last ten or twelve 

 years that island has become covered with brushwood, &c. Pre- 

 viously it only became exposed in dry seasons. A small group of 

 stones has in quite recent years appeared in dry seasons nearer 

 to the outlet of the loch than the crannog, and has i-eceived the 

 name of " the Laird's Isle." These, there is good reason to 

 believe, are the remains of the top of a crannog. which has been 

 washed away and probably destroyed by wind and waves. The 

 •• Moat of Lochrutton," a very extensive earthwork north of the 

 village of Lochfoot, gives name to the neighbouring farm. Upon 

 it "hearths" and other remains are constantly found during- 

 ploughing. At the south-east base of the Moat were found some 

 years ago upright and cross oaken piles mortised together, which 

 are now in Mr Grierson's possession. These probably formed 

 seme prehistoric structure. Part of a prehistoric canoe, dug out 

 of a field on the neighbouring farm of Armannoch, did duty some 

 years since as the cover of a well on that farm, and is possibly 

 there yet. 



For what purpose were these mysterious dwellings raised. 



