Page:Rude Stone Monuments.djvu/555

App. C. LETTER FROM SIR H. DRYDEN, Bart.,

TO THE

Editor of the 'John o' Groat's Journal.'

Lines, Cattle Moss, Yarhouse. Lines and Cist, Garry Whin. Lines, "Many Stones," Clyth. Lines, Camster. Circle (?) Achanloch. Circle, Guidebest, Latheronwheel.

Groups of Lines.

I am not aware of any similar groups in Great Britain, though no doubt there are some, and have no books at hand to refer to any in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden. The groups of lines in France (of far larger stones and greater length than those in Caithness) have the largest stones and widest intervals and the highest ground (the heads) to the west or thereabouts, and the smallest stones and narrowest intervals and lowest ground (the tails) to the east or thereabouts. The Caithness groups differ entirely in principle. The one at Yarhouse Loch runs north and south, does not radiate, and is on nearly level ground; but the three others have the narrower intervals and higher ground to the north (which end we may call the head), and radiate towards the south and lower ground. The group at Battlemoss, near Yarhouse, is on ground falling slightly to north-west. It consists of eight lines placed north and south. The width at the south end is forty-four feet. The lines are somewhat irregular, and appear to radiate slightly towards the north, but this is uncertain. One line extends 384 feet, and another one 170 feet, but the remaining six now only extend 133 feet. The ground is covered with peat and heather, and other stones may be hidden below the surface. There is no cairn or other grave now visible in proximity to the lines. The largest stones are about 2 feet 6 inches high, 2 feet 6 inches wide, and 1 foot 3 inches thick.

The group at Garrywhin consists of six lines. The whole width at the head (north-east end) is 50 feet, and at the bottom 107 feet. The central line bears N.N.E. or S.S.W, The length of this line is 200 feet. The fall is 20 feet to the S.S.W. At the head is a cist of slabs 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches, and 2 feet 4 inches deep, placed east and west. As this grave is on the highest point of the knoll, and as the lines commence at it, it is fair to presume that they are connected. In the cist were found ashes, pieces of pottery, and flint chips, but no bones. As the cist is between the third and fourth lines, it is fair to presume that there never were more than six lines.

The group called "Many Stones" has the head on the top of a knoll, from which the ground falls on all sides. The lines are on the south