Page:Rude Stone Monuments.djvu/557

 App. C. antiquities of CAITHNESS. 531

to be so. The highest point of the area is about 13 feet above the hollow on the east. This donkey-shoe-shaped series of stones is 220 feet long;, and 110 feet wide in the middle, inside measure. The two extremities are 85 feet 3 inches apart.

There are now 36 stones existing, of wliich only one is duwn ; but by filling up intervals at usual distances, it appears tlicre were .54 stones, supposing the lower end vacant as now. The average interval seems to have been 8 feet. The highest stone is 5 feet 7 inches high above ground ; the widest 5 feet 4 inches ; and the thickest 1 foot 7 inches.

All these stones are of a slaty character, and have their sides parallel, so that in width (long sides) they are generally three or f nir times their thickness (short sides). But the singular characteristic of this series is that the stones are set with their long sides at right angles to the curve, projecting like cogs of a wheel.

In many circles some or all of the stones have no decided difference in the measures of width and thickness ; but in all cases, when I have found a difference, the long sides are in the line of the curve.

Any notice of an arrangement similar to that at Achanloch would be a favour.

There is no appearance of any part of the area having been disturbed for burial or other purposes. There is a ruin of a chambered cairn south-ea>.t of the circle; and in the loch of Eangag, about a mile west, is the remain of a brous:h.

Circle at Guidebest, Latheeonavheel, Parish of LATHER0>i.

The place is on the north bank of the burn, one mile and a half up the strath. The circle is nearly true in form, and though now imper- fect, doubtless was once complete. It is 170 feet in diameter. The area is flat, covered with heather and peat, on a substratum of rock in some places, and of alluvial gravel in others. It is 15 feet above the brook, which has washed away the cliif very close up to the south- west stone, and appears likely, imless prevented, to dislocate the stones on that side.

There are now only seven stones existing — all erect — and by filling up the gaps at usual distances there were thirteen stones. The average interval seems to have been 45 feet. The highest stone is 5 feet 3 inches above ground; the widest 3 feet 2 inches; and the tliickest 1 foot 10 inches. The stone is of the common argillaceous slate of the district.

The stones are neaier square or circular in plan than those at Achanloch, but (so far as they can be) are all set with the long sides to the curve. The south stone is a little beyond the line of the ciiclo, but is evidently a moved and erected stone.

2 31 2