382 THE STOUT MEN OF SUTHERLAND. 



Pennant mentions, in the Strath of Helmesdale, the stones 

 of which now form huge cairns ; one of these, near Cayn, 

 appears to have been 108 feet long and 26 feet broad; and 

 the other, which is at Saliscraggy, measures 174 feet in 

 length and 26 in breadth, and is situated on a very pleasant 

 bank of the river Helmesdale, near the old Strath road. 



But I have lingered a long while in this romantic coun- 

 try ; more, much more could I add, did my limits allow of 

 it, for the assistance which has been so obligingly con- 

 ferred upon me, and which I have acknowledged in the 

 preface to these pages, has been most able and ample ; but 

 I must now conclude, adding only, in the words of Sir 

 Robert Gordon, " The bodies and mynds of the people of 

 this province (Sutherland) are indued with extraordinarie 

 abilities of nature ; they are great hunters and do dely te 

 much in that exercise, which makes them hardened to en- 

 dure travell and labour." 



