206 



ANCIENT REMAINS IN ARKAN. 



97. PREHISTORIC and other ancient remains are not so 

 numerous in Arran as its extent would lead us to expect. 

 The physical character of the surface limited, at all times as 

 now, the residence of its people to a narrow belt of low land 

 round the shores, and offered few temptations for the access of 

 fresh settlers ; while its remoteness from the mainland served 

 as a security against invasion or sudden surprise, and so 

 rendered unnecessary the erection of strongholds to defend 

 the coast. When by the advent of peaceful times the inhabit- 

 ants began to partake of the general improvement of the 

 country, and, by mixing with strangers, to lose that super- 

 stitious regard to old monuments which once prevailed, in 

 reclaiming waste places, monuments which stood in the way 

 were without scruple removed. Many perished thus in the 

 end of the last century and beginning of the present, which 

 the improved sentiment of the present age would have care- 

 fully guarded. Happily some time since this work of 

 thoughtless destruction was arrested in Arran by the in- 

 structions mainly of the late Duke of Hamilton, a man of 

 taste and culture, and lover of art and of the antique ; and we 

 may safely reckon that by the judicious and watchful care of 

 the present respected agent for the family in Arran, Mr. 

 Paterson, of Whitehouse, Lamlash, the instructions referred 

 to will be acted upon over the whole of the island. 



98. The ancient remains in Arran consist of cairns, barrows, 

 or mounds, monoliths and stone circles, chapels, cells, forts, 

 camps, and castles* Examples of all of these still remain; 

 but we know, from the early accounts of Arran which we 



