1 904- 1 905 •] Largs and its Surroundings. 213 



ideas of the district, this tumulus and its contents, with 

 indeed almost every other relic of prehistoric times found 

 in the country for miles around, have been assigned to the 

 period of the Battle of Largs. The memorable conflict 

 between the forces of Haco, King of Norway, and the vic- 

 torious army of Alexander III., took place on 2nd and 3rd 

 October 1263. The mound is supposed to have covered 

 the remains of some of the unfortunate chiefs and warriors 

 who fell in battle. It is not impossible that the tumulus, 

 already in existence, may have been used in the manner 

 indicated ; but the construction of chambered barrows or 

 cairns and the use of urns in burial-mounds must, of course, 

 be assigned to a period not only many ages anterior to the 

 Battle of Largs, but even long prior to the introduction of 

 Christianity into our island. 



Although the more modern or residential portion of Largs 

 now extends southwards for nearly a mile along the Fairlie 

 road, the town itself is approached by a bridge across the 

 Gogo Water. Looking upwards from the bridge, a glimpse 

 is obtained of the mansion of Halkshill, lying at the en- 

 trance to the fine valley down which the river pursues a 

 somewhat turbulent course. About a mile above Halkshill 

 the scenery along the course of the stream becomes wildly 

 picturesque. Its Highland features may be said to attain 

 their grandest development near the junction of the Gogo 

 and Greeto, and for some distance along the steep banks 

 of the latter stream. The Greeto here flows through a narrow 

 rocky channel, fringed with mountain-ash and other trees, 

 and rapidly descends by a series of beautiful cascades and 

 dark pools. The moist rocks along the stream-sides abound 

 in mosses, among which are several interesting species. The 

 plants which have been noted as occurring from Halkshill 

 upwards include Geranium lucidum, Saxifraga hypnoides, Dor- 

 onicum Pardalianclies, Bartramia Halleriana (c. fr.), Breutelia 

 arcuata (c. fr.), Bracliytliecmm glareosum, Orthothecium intrica- 

 tum, Eurhynclimm Teesdalei (c. fr.), &c. A short distance 

 above the Falls of Greeto the stream is crossed by a wooden 

 bridge, from whence a road is carried along the hillside 

 towards Largs. From this elevated point a beautiful view 

 is obtained of the hills above the Gogo valley, with a 

 pleasant survey of the Firth and its islands. The road 



