141 



The inscription on the roof, in Eunic letters, has no reference to 

 Molassns. The words, 'Nicolas hann raisti' ' Nicolas this engraved' 

 are Norse or Icelandic, and clearly refer to a Norwegian hermit who 

 resided here at the time when the Northmen ruled the Western Isles, 

 or ahont A.D. 1100. Wilson (Arch, of Scotl., p. 531) identifies this 

 hermit with a bishop of Man. He would make the inscription refer 

 to the excavation of the rock. But this has clearly been the work 

 of the sea ; and, besides, the cave was the abode of St. Molassus 

 at an earlier period. Mr. Wilson gives some other fragmentary 

 Runes. A small cell or monastery was erected in connection with the 

 hermitage, apparently by Reginald de Insulis, between 1206 and 1212, 

 probably in connection with the monastery of Saddell, in Cantire, 

 founded by him, and to which he granted lands in Arran. It seems 

 to have been an abbot of this small monastery, whose tombstone, 

 bearing his chalice and pastoral staff, but without any inscription, is 

 still extant in the ruins of the ancient burying place and chapel at 

 Clachan glen, and which is popularly called St. Molios' grave."* The 

 traces of this monastery were till lately to be seen north of the cave, 

 beside a burying-ground, which was long used as the chief place of 

 sepulture for Arran, till the loss of life by the upsetting of a boat 

 led to a discontinuance of the practice. A pure spring of water close 

 by the cave, was long famous for supposed healing qualities. 



EXCURSION X. 

 To WINDMILL HILL AKD PLOVEBFIELD. 



98. THE Windmill hill is conspicuous from all parts of the 

 Brodick coast, as the high narrow crest of a long ridge which divides 

 Glen Shirag from Glen Cloy. It may be readily ascended from any 

 side. If we pass along its north front from the String road, we 

 shall see the pits from which shell limestone, like that at the Chapel 

 of Ease, was formerly quarried ; but the ascent along the south- 

 eastern front will best expose to our view the structure of the hill. 

 We pass up the lovely banks of the Cloy burn, fragrant all the way 

 with blossoms of the choicest wild-flowers, till we reach the bridge 

 leading to the old mansion of Kilmichael. This is the seat of 

 the Fullarton family, proprietors of an estate here the only por- 



* This corrected legend has been kindly made known to me by John Mackinlay, 

 Esq., of Bonnington. 



