Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 4.djvu/354

 peculiar to Glen Roy. The same names are applied to hills in Glenco, in Glen Lyon, and in many other places; while the very tombs of these heroes which occur in so many different parts of Scotland would prove that they possessed an ubiquity even after death.

Equally idle traditions are recorded concerning certain hollows now to be seen in Glen Turit, which are supposed to have been constructed for cooking their venison, and which go by the name of Coir na Fion; the kettles of Fingal. But admitting that tradition were to be received as evidence in such a case as this, it is not difficult to show that even tradition is at variance with itself. For they have been equally attributed to certain Scottish kings who are supposed to have resided in Inverlochy Castle.

The date of this building is much too modern to admit of any connection between it and the appearances in question, were they even ascertained to be roads. It is a quadrangular structure occupying an area of about 1600 yards, and like Harlech and others of the Welsh castles of Edward's time, consists of four curtains with flanking towers at the angles. The height of the curtain is from 25 to 30 feet, and that of the towers from 40 to 50. The scarp extends to a distance of 12 feet from the foot of the wall, and the whole is surrounded by a moat, once wet, 40 feet in breadth. It has two principal gates, one to the land and another which appears to have extended to the water. Sally ports and loop holes are also to be observed in the towers, some of the latter being intended to cover the sally port and others to flank the curtain. Remains of a building which seems to have been intended for a drawbridge are also visible. This construction altogether, not easily misapprehended by antiquaries, to whom the marks of age more or less distant are visible in ancient military works in more circumstances than those which I have now pointed out, shows that it cannot be referred to