Dv Hibbert's Observations on Vitrified Forts. °,95 



of sufficient strength and solidity, there was no occasion to em- 

 ploy wood or turf in its construction, and it was therefore 

 proof against all assault of fire. Such are the ramparts which 

 appear on the hill of Dun Jardel, Dun Evan, &c. But on 

 Craig Phaedrick and other hills, where, from the nature of the 

 rock, the stones would be procured only in irregular and gene- 

 rally small fragments, it was necessary to employ some such 

 mode of construction described. 1 ' 



These are the chief reasons which have induced Lord Wood- 

 houselee to form an opinion differing from that of Mr Williams, 

 and of such as believed these structures to be the proofs of an 

 ancient mode of building, in which fire was employed for the 

 purpose of a cement before our ancestors knew the use of lime. 

 He is rather disposed to conclude that the appearances of vi- 

 trification, which a few of these fortified sites evince, are the 

 accidental effects of fire upon a structure composed of combus- 

 tible and fusible materials, and by no means the consequence 

 of an operation intended to produce that effect. 



My own opinion of his Lordship's demolishing' theory is 

 scarcely a decided one. I cannot think it likely that in all 

 cases structures of wood were called in aid to give additional 

 security to mounds of stone. The probability, however, of 

 rude wood-work being occasionally employed for this purpose 

 must be admitted ; and perhaps it may be illustrated in forts 

 of very small dimensions. But that vitrification was induced 

 by their being set on fire by a besieging enemy, is a distinct 

 proposition, which in most instances will, I am persuaded, 

 meet with no countenance whatever. 



Stilly, The opinion that the vitrification Of these forf.s ica.s 

 the result of beacon-fires. 



A fifth and last opinion, said to be the most plausible one 

 that has yet been broached, is, that the vitrification of these 

 forts was the result of beacon-fires. This theory has met with 

 many supporters, particularly among the contributors to Sir 

 Jdhn Sinclair's Sta/i.s/iial Acnuuil of Scotland. But the most 

 able advocate of this opinion is Sii (ieoigc .Mackenzie oi (Joul, 

 Bart in an article on vitrified forts, written by hiiu lor Dr 

 Brewster's Encyclopaedia, and in his published letter addres- 

 sed to Sir Walter Scott, on the fitrifted fort of Knbckfaml. 



