484 CUMBRAY (LITTLE). GEN. DESCRIPTION. 



CUMBRAY (LITTLE). 



THIS island is separated from the former by a strait 

 more than half a mile in breadth, and from the coast 

 of Ayrshire by a continuation of the channel which 

 equally divides both these islands from that shore. It 

 is of an irregularly triangular shape, being about two 

 miles in length and scarcely more than one in breadth. 

 Judging by a rude estimate, its highest point is between 

 seven and eight hundred feet above the level of the sea. 

 That summit is distinguished by the tower of the ancient 

 lighthouse, now for some time superseded by the more 

 modern structure; which occupies an inferior situation, 

 less subject to be obscured by the occasional low flight 

 of the clouds. On a small peninsula on the eastern shore, 

 is seen a square tower in a state of good preservation ; 

 once a royal castle, like that of Pencross on the opposite 

 coast. Both these buildings are of small capacity, exhibit- 

 ing the general arrangement already mentioned as charac- 

 teristic of the Highland castellated mansions. That of 

 Pencross is of somewhat greater dimensions than the 

 other, and is said to have been the station whence the 

 royal funerals proceeded for interment to the place of 

 sepulture in lona. Unfortunately, so much doubt hangs 

 over all the details of the early periods of Scottish history, 

 that this tradition must be received with hesitation. Nor 

 is it easy to understand what purposes of royalty these 

 castles could have served, as they neither possess the 

 extent requisite for a royal household, even limited as 

 it may be supposed to have been in those days, nor 

 could they have accommodated a garrison for any system 

 of defence, or for the reception of an outpost. It is more 

 probable that, like others, they were the strong houses 

 of the feudal chieftains or nobles of those days. Rude 

 however as they are in form, and insignificant in dimen- 



