Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/34

20 in diameter. The greater part of the stones has been carted away to build the adjoining fences. The prospect from this cairn is very extensive, being bounded by the silvery Solway on the west, and on the north by the bonnie blue hills which form a barrier between England and Scotland about fifty miles long. A sentinel placed near this cairn would command a view of the enemy's movements to a very great distance northwards. Immediately underneath, on the north, lies the parish of Bewcastle, abounding in pastoral and romantic scenery, and famed for many brave heroes who in the days of yore signalised themselves in defence of their country. A short way down the steep declivity on the north side of this cairn is a fine spring of water called "Hespie's Well." Can this Hespie or Hespec have been some ancient chieftain in this district? There is a cairn of great magnitude called "Hespec-raise," on the summit of Castle Carrock Fell, about fifteen miles from this place.

(260 yards.) The Maiden Way makes a turn to the north-east from the Brown knowe towards the Braes Tower, passes about eighty yards on the west-side of the High-house, and at 8670 yards enters the Side sheep pasture, about forty yards from the south-west corner, crossing a stone boundary wall, which appears to be made of quite a different sort of stones at the point of crossing, being probably made from the stones which had been used for the road. This is very evidently seen on the north side of the wall. From this point the Way descends rapidly among the varied beauties of the vale of Bewcastle, with its chalet-like farm-houses far up the slopes on both sides.

We may now diverge for a short distance from the line, in order to view an old ruin situated about 200 yards east-ward from this point at a small hamlet called the Side. This ruin is about eighteen yards square, covered with turf, and in no part exceeding two feet in height. It is on the east-side of the branch Maiden Way, which passes close to it. It may have been a Mile castle. The old building was taken down about twenty years since, and the stones were used in the newly erected dwelling-house and barn. Many of these stones have an antique appearance. It had remarkably thick walls, and was two storied, the entrance being from the north. Some strong iron chains were found