ANCIENT REMAINS IN ARRAN. 211 



covered with peat moss, and peat is cut from the banks 

 which are fast approaching the bases of the stones ; but this 

 will not affect their stability, as the peat is no more than 15 

 to 20 inches thick, and the pillared stones have a firm hold 

 in the red till bed below the peat : the peat, indeed, is most 

 probably the growth of a recent time. 



The circle No. 5, a little to the west of No. 4, is on higher 

 ground, dry and gravelly, and has remarkable features, which 

 have led to its frequent mention, while others have been 

 overlooked. It is alluded to under the name of " Suidhi- 

 Choir-Fhion," or Fingal's Cauldron-Seat; the encircling 

 stones being, according to tradition, the support of the 

 giant's cauldron. ' It consists of a double circle of granite 

 blocks, boulders from the northern mountains, gathered from 

 the adjoining moor. The outer circle has 14, the inner 8 

 blocks, larger than those in the outer, and 3 to 4 feet high ; 

 they stand 3 to 4 yards apart in the inner row, the diameter 

 of which is 11 yards; the ring between the two circles is 

 from 5 to 7 feet broad, probably because the constructors 

 were in no way particular, or some of the blocks may have 

 been shifted. A block on the south-east side of the outer 

 circle has a ledge perforated by a round hole, which is well 

 worn on the edges; and, according to the usual tradition, is 

 said to have been formed for the purpose of fastening the 

 favourite dog Bran, belonging to the giant before named. 

 No. 6 is an enclosure by the road-side, a short distance W. 

 of No. 5, like an open raised grave; it is formed of five slabs 

 of sandstone placed on edge, 2 to 3 feet above the surface, 

 and 89 even all round that a large slab may once have fitted 

 on as a lid; the enclosure is 6 feet E. to W., by 4 feet 

 broad ; two slabs form the east side, one each of the others. 

 Nos. 7 and 9 are monoliths, but most probably there were 

 circles here also, as there are indications of other stones ; the 

 height is about 5 ;feet 6 inches. South of these is No. 8, 

 having several slabs, nearly the same size as the last, indicat- 

 ing a former circle. No. 10 is a large circle of granite 



