ISLA. ANTIQUITIES.' 



settled by the Northmen at an earlier period than the 

 interior. As far as his hypothesis rests on this evidence, 

 it is unsupported ; while in this particular instance it is 

 decidedly at variance with the geography of Isla ; which 

 bears in its names, the marks of Danish settlements in 

 a greater degree than any of the more remote islands, 

 even including Sky. 



From these circumstances a probable reason may be 

 assigned for the number and variety of the ancient re- 

 mains to be seen in Isla ; which, although not conspicuous 

 as antiquities, abstractedly considered, are yet remarkable 

 when compared with those found in many of the neigh- 

 bouring islands. 



The monumental stones, whether erected to record 

 battles or covenants, or to mark the sepulture of warriors 

 and chieftains, are numerous, and often conspicuous for their 

 size. Like most remains, they are popularly attributed to 

 the Danes ; a prejudice not limited to the Scottish isles, 

 since the memory of these troublesome enemies to Britain, 

 has often assigned them forts and monuments in districts 

 where they appear never to have had establishments. It 

 is superfluous to say that these rude monuments were 

 common to all the descendants of the great Celtic nation. 

 Under one of them, near Kildalton, was found a stone 

 coffin, marking the motive for its erection ; but it is 

 unnecessary to point out the several places where they 

 occur; since, however the knowledge of their general 

 existence may be interesting, there is nothing in them, 

 individually considered, to call for particular description. 



Connected with these, are the monuments of earth or 

 of stones, which appear in the different shapes of barrows 

 and cairns. Excavations have been made in some of 

 them, and they have been found to contain urns with 

 ashes; the burning of the dead having been at times 

 practised among the Celtic nations, as antiquaries have 

 long since shown. 



Among the remains of the earliest inhabitants, may 

 be enumerated those weapons called celts, made of stone 



