TRANSACTIONS, 39 
15 to 16 feet wide. On the south-west it again deepens, and here 
it measures 14 feet, and so it continues to the south, where it 
altogether disappears. The second fosse, or rather what remains 
of it, commences at the north-east, being fairly marked on the side 
next the ditch, and reaching an extreme elevation of 8 feet, and 
sweeps to the north-west. At the west it is, however, barely 
traceable. But on the south-west aspect it again becomes marked, 
especially towards the ditch, and finally it ends at the south. 
This outer rampart is fast disappearing under the plough, and in a 
few years I fear no trace of it will remain, The gateway through 
this rampart, as shewn on the ordnance survey, has disappeared, 
but was situated about 70 feet north of the inner gateway. The 
greatest diameter of what remains of the camp is 370 feet. This 
runs from the south-west to the north-east. The ramparts are 
constructed of large loose stones, on which there is neither the 
mark of chisel nor trace of mortar. These boulders are covered 
with earth, dressed into a military shape. Having thus described 
the position, measurements, appearance, and construction of the 
camp, I pass to a consideration of its origin. Beyond all doubt 
the camp is British. This is obvious for the following reasons : 
First. It is circular. The fortresses of the ancient Britons are 
always found to consist of concentric circles of stones, whereas 
those of the Romans are invariably square. Hill Burton insists 
on the sameness of Roman camps in all parts of the world (p. 73 
of History of Scotland), and says that in construction they evince 
“an extremity of immutability.” And both he and Chalmers use 
“circular and British” and “ square and Roman” as synonymous 
terms. Second. The ramparts are not of Roman construction. 
According to Chalmers (Caledonia Vol. I., p. 25) the ramparts of 
British forts “were composed of dry stones and earth, without any 
appearance of mortar or cement.” Maclagan deals largely on this, 
but in a more extended form. This is the construction of “the 
lines” at Wood Castle. Third. The gateways through the 
different ramparts in a British strength are placed in a zig-zag 
: manner, and not as in a Roman fort directly opposite each other, 
—Vide Hill Burton, p. 84-86, Vol. I. Fourth. The ancient 
Britons often chose lakes for fortresses. Now the position of 
Wood Castle is very peculiar. At the time of its construction it 
Must have been a peninsular stronghold. On the south-east is the 
Mill Loch, on the south-west the Upper Loch, and stretching 
; away along the whole of the west to the north is still mossy 
