186 LEWIS. ANTIQUITIES. 



The additional line already mentioned, extends north- 

 wards from the outer part of the circle, on the eastern 

 side. It is however very defective, a great number of 

 the stones being absent towards its northern extremity ; 

 although there is apparent evidence of their former con- 

 tinuity, in one which remains erect and in others which 

 have fallen from their places. I could not discover any 

 traces of a line parallel to this on the western side ; 

 but as some inclosures have been made in the immediate 

 vicinity, it is possible that such might have originally 

 existed ; notwithstanding the superstitious reverence with 

 which the Scots in general regard these remains, and the 

 care with which, in their agricultural operations,' they 

 commonly avoid committing any injury to them. The 

 intervals between the stones vary from two to ten feet 

 or more, but it is probable that the larger spaces have 

 resulted from the falling of the less firmly rooted pillars 

 which occupied those places. The number of stones in 

 the circle is thirteen, independently of the central one ; 

 and the number in the whole building, either erect or 

 recently fallen, is forty-seven. 



The aspect of this work is very striking, as it occupies 

 the highest situation on a gentle swelling eminence of 

 moor land ; there being no object, not even a rock or 

 stone, to divert the attention and diminish the impres- 

 sion which it makes. The circles found in the vicinity 

 are less perfect, and present no linear appendages : their 

 average diameter varies from forty to fifty feet, and one 

 of them contains four uprights placed in a quadrangular 

 form within its area. I may add to this general account, 

 that solitary stones, apparently of a monumental nature, 

 are found in this neighbourhood, as well as in the island 

 of Bernera and in other parts of Lewis. 



The cruciform shape of the structure described above 

 is a remarkable, and I believe a solitary circumstance. 

 It has not at least been noticed among the numerous 

 descriptions of these erections which antiquaries have 



