216 "REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1912. 
Orkney and Shetland. 
Mr. James Murray, of the Lake Survey, suggested the island on 
Loch Skaill as being artificial. 
Mr. James Johnston, Orphir House, Orkney, further suggests 
among the numerous islands on the lochs of Orkney one on Loch 
Wasdale, with site of chapel; Loch Clumly, the island of which has 
a broch on it; Loch Sabiston, where there are stepping-stones leading 
to the island; Loch Isbister, the island of which has a broch on it. 
Shetland.—Mr. J. D. Mackintosh, Lerwick, replied to the circu- 
lar: ‘I understand that there are some such (artificial islands) in Shet- 
land, and I think if you sent me half a dozen of the circulars I could 
get some information from various parts of the islands of Shet- 
land. . . .’ At the time of writing these forms had not been returned. 
Dr. Th. Johnston reports that the Loch of Cliff, in Unst, has an island 
cairn, but no causeway observed. 
Argyllshire and the Western Islands. 
On the main land of Argyllshire there have been suggested three 
islands in Loch Nell, the one called Loch a Mhuillinn at Oban, one 
or perhaps two in Loch Awe, and one in Loch Ternate, Moryern. 
Those in Loch Nell, briefly mentioned by Dr. Munro, were visited and 
photographed by Dr. W. D. Anderson, Oban. Dr. Anderson reported 
that there were two artificial islands still above water, and two others 
submerged, and mentioned that his photo ‘ showed the serpent mound 
on the mainland behind the island and a little to the left of the 
picture.’ This item is recorded in view of the question which was 
added to the original circular by one of the members of the Com- 
mittee as to whether there are any artificial mounds or other struc- 
tures in the alluvium on the shores of the loch. The ‘ Serpent mound’ 
was visited and examined by Dr. Phene, who found at one end a pre- 
historic burial, the contents of which were sent to the museum at 
Edinburgh. I must, however, add that Dr. Joseph Anderson considers 
the mound a natural one, and that Dr. Phene was mistaken. Subse- 
quently Dr. Munro visited the locality and saw the remains of a cist . 
in the terminal end of a wavy morainic ridge. Mr. R. D. Murray Allan, 
of Glenfeochan, kindly sent a tracing of the loch showing the position 
of the two visible islands, and also that of the submerged ones. 
The island in Loch a Mhuillinn was suggested by Mr. D. Mclsaac, 
who exhibited a photo of the crannog being dug, and, in addition to the 
workmen, the photograph showed Professor Heddle, of St. Andrews, 
and several members of the Town Council of that day. Mr. MclIsaac 
also showed a piece of one of the logs. The crannog, which was first 
discovered by Mr. Campbell, then Burgh Surveyor, was about 85 feet 
long by 53 feet broad. Dr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, on whose yacht 
Professor Heddle was staying, sent me a copy of the photo along 
with the following extract from his note-book: ‘ 15th May 1888. We 
inspected, along with Provost Drummond and Mr. Munro, Oban, a 
new discovered lake-dwelling built on piles in the middle of Loch a 
Mhuillinn, which lies close to the town and railway embankment, and 
