58 TRANSACTIONS. 
IV. Zhe Old Cornkilns at Barclosh, Kirkgunzeon. By Mr 
Wm. J. MAXxweE Lu of Terregles Banks. 
On the Farm of Barciosh, near Southwick Station, there are 
a number of circular pits which have recently attracted notice, and 
although two of them are marked on the Ordnance Survey map as 
Old Kilns, it was thought desirable that one should be cleared out 
so as to ascertain more exactly its construction and purpose. The 
result of this investigation is to shew that the structures in ques- 
tion are old kilns, and that they have probably been used for 
drying grain before grinding it in the hand-mills or querns formerly 
in use. The one recently cleared out was found to be 6 ft. 6 in, 
in depth, 13 ft. in diameter at the top, and regularly contracting 
to a diameter of 4 ft. 6 in. at the bottom. Like the others on the 
same farm it is circular, situated on the slope of a hill and firmly 
built with rough stone, without lime. It has a smooth compact 
floor of clay. At the bottom is an aperture resembling a pen or 
drain, 18 in. in width by 15 in. in height. Two stones project 
from the circular wall towards the inside, apparently to serve as 
steps in climbing out. At the side on which the ground is highest 
there remain the foundations of a rectangular building 134 in. by 
103 in. inside measurement. This building is not sunk below the 
surface of the ground, and may have been used for storing the 
grain before or after the drying process. This kiln is about 90 
yards to the south-east of Barclosh farm-steading, and about 40 
yards from the road leading past it. 286 yards further south, and 
55 yards on the other side of the parish road, there is another kiln 
of similar construction and dimensions. About 190 yards to the 
south-west of that last mentioned and clese to the parish road, 
there is a third, and in the copse or young plantation adjoining, a 
fourth kiln—the last two of somewhat smaller size and without 
the rectangular building observed in connection with the first two. 
It seems remarkable that so many of these kilns should be 
found so near together, but the remains of other buildings show 
that numerous dwellings have at one time existed at this place. 
Here and there threughout the copse and rough ground adjoining 
may be noticed curious mounds and cairns, which may perhaps be 
natural, or thrown up in clearing the ground for tillage, but which 
muy, on the other hand, indicate ancient burial-places. In Sir 
Herbert Maxwell’s work, I believe he translates Barclosh as mean- 
ing the Hill of the Trench, Pit, or Grave, 
