I-79*' " d voyage to the Hebrides. . 217 



have been retreats in times of war : That they 

 were covered on the top for men to fight from, 

 and dark within lightened by tapers or flambeaux 

 only. Others think all the inhabitants of those 

 ^ays lived in circular houses of the same construc- 

 tion, lighted only from the roof, like those of Kams- 

 katcha at this day : That the doons were probably 

 the houses of the chiefs, differing only in size and 

 strength from the houses of the other inhabitants *. 



It was observed, that in the county of Sutherland, 

 where there are three of the greater houses still to 

 be seen, there is also between Dornock and Skeebo, 

 very distinct circular remains of h^ ises, and so nu- 

 inerous as to induce one to believe they must be the 

 remains of an ancient town. Tradition degenerates 

 into fable : — The tradition respecting one of them is, 

 that it was Fingal's house, and that his wife carried 

 the stones for building it from the adjacent rocks in 

 her apron. Fingal represented invariably as a 

 Giant, and his race as gigantic. In another place in 

 the Highlands some great stones are fhewn, of many 

 tons weight, which, it is said, he and his compani- 

 -ons amused themselves throwing from one mountain 

 to another — Took leave of the gentlemen of Sky at 

 midnight. Slept on board. 



To be continued. 



• This^ .hject has been already agitated, and will be far h;r diiculsed 

 in sime recer; numfce s [of the Be. It is only now [ostpoiied to male 

 way for other important m.ittcr. 



VOL. viii. EE + 



