SKY. ANTIQUITIES. 289 



strengths commonly called Danish, many of which are 

 found on different parts of the coast ; but all, as usual, 

 so far destroyed as to convey but a very slender notion 

 of their original state. Various monumental stones are 

 also found, of which those near Loch Uig are the most 

 conspicuous, if indeed they are not of Druidical origin. 

 Whatever their object has been, the repetition of an^ 

 tiquarian conjectures would here be much misplaced. 



If there be any very ancient monuments in Sky at 

 all distinguished from those of the other islands, it is 

 the cairn on Ben na Caillich, visible at a great distance 

 even on this elevated summit ; its magnitude bespeaking 

 the importance of the person or of the event in com- 

 memoration of which it was erected. I shall be excused 

 from repeating the traditions respecting it, since they 

 are unworthy of regard. 



The more modern remains are not numerous, nor, 

 with the exception of Dunvegan Castle, are they very 

 remarkable. A small portion only of the castle of 

 Knock is still standing to bespeak its importance, but 

 it seems to have been merely a castellated mansion. 

 Duntulm is more entire, and, with dimensions equally 

 limited, displays some remains of architectural ornament ; 

 a circumstance extremely rare in the Highland castles, 

 and seldom exhibited with much liberality even in the 

 low country, where greater opulence must have pre^- 

 vailed and more taste might have been expected. 



The very name of Dunscaich, the traditional resi- 

 dence of the " King of the Isle of Mist," will naturally 

 excite interesting associations in the minds of those 

 who are versant in Gaelic poetry. But its interest is 

 limited to its poetic celebrity. The present building is 

 of recent date, nor is much of it remaining. If that 

 which may have existed only in song be worth a con- 

 jecture, the residence of Cuchullin may with greater 

 probability be placed on the v neighbouring rocky islet, 

 where the ruins of an ancient circular fort are still to 



VOL. I. U 



