220 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1912. 
Treating of Prehistoric Forts, in Chapter VI., the author adds 
a footnote: ‘To all appearance several of the minor island forts have 
been built upon foundations at least partly artificial, though it seems 
obvious that in each case the site was chosen so as to take advantage of 
natural conditions already existing.’ 
In a letter of August last Dr. Beveridge wrote: ‘ 1 am now able to 
send you particulars of the apparently artificial islands in N. Uist. I 
have classed seven as such, numbering them 1 to 7, and five others are 
doubtful, whilst there may be a few others which are less obvious as 
to character. Of the twelve I have only photographed six, and send 
copies herewith.’ No. 1 is the island in Loch an Duin, Portnain, 
known as Dun Nighean righ Lochlain. It is about 30 feet in diameter 
and 30 yards distant from the shore, with well-marked causeway. Stone 
circles and a chambered cairn exist in the near neighbourhood. No. 2, 
Loch an Duin, Breinish, also known as Dun Nighean righ Lochlain. 
This measures 28 by 32 feet, is distant 25 yards from the shore, and 
has a distinct causeway. The two islets in Loch Obisary Mr. Beveridge 
considers doubtful. The one measures 18 feet in diameter, the other 
60 feet, but neither has any causeway visible. The two islets in Loch 
Mor, Balesbare, are classed as certainly artificial. One measures 40 feet 
in diameter, the other less. In each case there is a causeway about 
5 feet wide. ‘The two islets in Loch nan Gearrachan are also certainly 
artificial. One measures 32 feet across, the other 29 feet by 41 feet. 
They are distant respectively 35 and 25 yards from the shore, and each 
has its causeway. The island in Loch Eashader is of the ‘ certain’ 
class. It measures 52 feet across, is distant 40 yards from the shore, 
but the causeway in this case is doubtful. The Loch Aonghuis island 
is ‘ doubtful,’ as is also that in Loch Oban Trumisgarry, but this latter 
has a causeway to the shore, a distance of 30 yards. 
Harris.—Mr. J. Wedderspoon, C.E., a prominent member of the 
Inverness Field Club, sends particulars of two islands in Harris: ‘ The 
first find was in the island of Scalpay near Tarbert. I had occasion 
to visit the island in connection with a water-supply to the school 
proposed to be taken from a small loch near the centre of the island, 
bearing the common name of Loch an Duin.’ Mr. Wedderspoon 
mentioned that there are two islands about 20 yards apart, and that 
both have the appearance of being artificial, although one is more 
strikingly so. There is a causeway from the shore, and this appears 
to be continued between the two islands. 
The other example is on the Island of Taransay, off the W. coast 
of Harris, which also contains a Loch an Duin. There is a cause- 
way from the shore a distance of about 40 yards and the island 
measures 35 feet across. Mr. Wedderspoon made exact measure- 
ments of the building on the island, which however he considers of 
much later date than the island itself. 
Lewis.—Mr. James Fraser suggests the island on Loch an Duin, 
near Loch Carloway, and that on a loch near Bragar, seven miles 
further north on the W. coast of Lewis. Mr. C. G. Mackenzie, 
Procurator Fiscal, Stornoway, suggests the islands on Loch Arnish 
and Loch Chlathamir. ‘In the first of these the foundations of the 
