A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans : with an ...

SniiTERRANEOUS KETKEATS AND CAVES. 16
turc and of equal magnitude, several of wiiicli exhibit also the remains
of tlie same kind of structures, within tlie area of each, for the shekel
of llieir iuhabitants. There is a fortress of tiiis kind, which comnuind^
an extensive view of the lower parts of Braidalbane. On the summit of
Dun-I'jvan in Nairnshire, there is also a similar fortress, consisting of two
ramparts, which surround a level space of the same oblong form, W'itli
lliat of Craig-Phadric, though not quite so large. Witliin the area of
Dun-Evan, there are tlie tracc'^ of a well, and the remains of a large
mass of building, which once furnished shelter to the defenders of the
fort. A similar fort e.\ists in Glenelg in Inverness-shire : a stone
rampart surrounds the top of tlie hill, and in the area there is the
vestiue of a circular building for the use of the ancicMit inhabituiits.
On the east side of Jjochness, stands the fortress of Dunltar-didl upi^n
a very high hill of a circular, or ratlier conical shape tiie summit of which
is only accessible, on the soutli-i'ast by a narrow ridge, which connects
the mount witli a hilly chain, that runs up to Stratherric. On
svery otiier (juarter the ascent is almost perpendicular ; and a rapid
river winds round the circumference of the base. The summit is surounded
by a very strong wall of dry stones, which was once of great
height and thickness. The inclosed area is an oblong square of twen-
ty-five yards long, and fifteen yards broad ; it is level and clear of
stones, and has on it the remains of a well. Upon a shoulder of this
hill, about fifty feet below the summit, there is a druidical temple,
consisting of a circle of large stones, firmly fixed in the ground, with
n double row of stones, extending from one side as an avenue, or entry
to the circle.
From the situation of those hill-forts, as they are called, tlieir relative
positions to one another, and the accommodations attached to them, it
has been inferred with great plausibility that they were rather con-
structed for tiie purpose of protecting the tribes from the attacks of one
Another, than with the design of defending themselves from an invad-
ing enemy. As a coiToboratiou of this view it is observed, that these
fortresses are placed upon eminences, in those parts of the country which
iu the early ages must have been the most habitable and furnished
the greatest quantity of subsistence. They frequently appear in groups
of three, four or more in the vicinity of each other; and they are so disposed,
upon the tops of heights, tliat sometimes a considerable number
may be seen at the same time, one of them being always much larger
and stronger than the others, placed in the most commanding- situation,
and no doubt intended as the distinguished post of the chief.
Subterraneous retreats or caves were common to most early nations
for the purpose of concealment in war. Tiie Britons and their Cale-
donian descendants had also their hiding places. The excavations or
retreats were of two sorts: lirst. Artificial structures formed under
ground of rude stones without cement ;
and, secondly, Natural caves in
rocks whicli have been rendered more commodious by art.
Of the first sort are the subterraneous apartments which liave lieeu