Dr Hibbert's Observations on Vitrified Forts. 297 



which have been examined, tend greatly to support. The 

 coasts of Scotland began to be annoyed by the predatory vi- 

 sits of the Vikingr about the end of the eighth century ; but it 

 was not probably until the Scots had obtained a complete as- 

 cendency over the Picts, by which both were united under one 

 government, that systems of beacons were formed to provide 

 against the sudden descents of the Scandinavians, who invaded 

 them from the Danish or Norwegian shores, or from countries 

 which they subsequently colonized, namely, from Shetland, 

 Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, the Hebrides, Ireland, or the 

 Isle of Man. The Murray Frith, as we learn from ancient 

 Sagas, was one of the most convenient landing-places for the 

 Northmen ; and hence we must look to this locality for the 

 greatest proportion of vitrified sites. The number of such as 

 have been traced within sight of each other, in a direction east 

 to west from Banff to Dingwall, and in a direction north to 

 south from Cromarty to Fort Augustus, may be estimated at 

 twenty ; but it is probable that their actual amount will be 

 eventually found to be much more. Two vitrified eminences 

 appear near Huntly, connected apparently with the line of 

 coast extending from Kinnaird's Head to the mouth of the 

 Dee. More south, a chain of vitrified sites, nine or ten in 

 number, appears to have conveyed signals from the line of 

 coast which stretches from Kincardine to the Tay, being pro- 

 longed from Stonehaven or Dundee to the neighbourhood of 

 Dunkeld or Crieff. On the west coast, again, we find similar 

 vitrified sites at Bute, Cantire, Isla, Loch Etive, Loch Sunart, 

 Fort William, or at Arisaig. The number which subsists on 

 the west yet remains to be ascertained ; about twelve have been 

 enumerated. Lastly, at Galloway, three occur, apparently as 

 signals against the marauding colonists of Ireland. 



But it must be kept in view, that it is highly improbable 

 that the original intent of the whole of these vitrified sites was 

 that of affording convenient localities for beacon-fires. There 

 is no necessity, whatever, catcris paribus, that signal lights, 

 merely giving notice of the approach of an enemy from the 

 sea, should be situated on fortified stations. It is not impro- 

 bable, therefore, that the rude ramparts themselves might, at 

 a still more remote period, have been erected by the oldest in- 



