ds of wall, which formed distinct apartments. Its date, and
its use are unknown. Some suppose it the original seat of the chiefs of
the Macleods. Mr. Macqueen thought it a Danish fort.

The entrance is covered with flat stones, and is narrow, because it was
necessary that the stones which lie over it, should reach from one wall
to the other; yet, strait as the passage is, they seem heavier than could
have been placed where they now lie, by the naked strength of as many men
as might stand about them. They were probably raised by putting long
pieces of wood under them, to which the action of a long line of lifters
might be applied. Savages, in all countries, have patience proportionate
to their unskilfulness, and are content to attain their end by very
tedious methods.

If it was ever roofed, it might once have been a dwelling, but as there
is no provision for water, it could not have been a fortress. In Sky, as
in every other place, there is an ambition of exalting whatever has
survived memory, to some important use, and referring it to very remote
ages. I am inclined to suspect, that in lawless times, when the
inhabitants of every mountain stole the cattle of their neighbour, these
inclosures were used to secure the herds and flocks in the night. When
they were driven within the wall, they might be easily watched, and
defended as long as could be needful; for the robbers durst not wait till
the injured clan should find them in the morning.

The interior inclosures, if the whole building were once a house, were
the chambers of the chief inhabitants. If it was a place of security for
cattle, they were probably the shelters of the keepers.

From the Dun we were conducted to another place of security, a cave
carried a great way under ground, which had been discovered by digging
after a fox. These caves, of which many have been found, and many
probably remain concealed, are formed, I believe, commonly by taking
advantage of a hollow, where banks or rocks rise on either side. If no
such place can be found, the ground must be cut away. The walls are made
by piling stones against the earth, on either side. It is then roofed by
larger stones laid across the cavern, which therefore cannot be wide.
Over the roof, turfs were placed, and grass was suffered to grow; and the
mouth was concealed by bushes, or some other cover.

These caves were represented to us as the cabins of the first rude
inhabitants, of which, ho