Fig. 2.—(Height 101⁄2 inches.) Found in Loch Canmor.
Fig. 3.—(Height 11 inches.) Fig. 4.—(Height 9 inches.)
Found in the Loch of Banchory.
In the excellent article on Crannoges in Chambers's Encyclopædia (written, I believe, by Mr. Robertson), the following epitome of his opinions and researches is given:—"Hitherto, archæologists knew of lake-dwellings as existing only in Ireland and Switzerland; but in 1857, Mr. Joseph Robertson read a paper to the Society of Scottish Antiquaries, proving that they were to be found in almost every province of Scotland. He not only ascertained the existence of about fifty examples, but was able to show from records that they were known in Scotland by the same name[11] of Crannoges, which they received in Ireland. The resemblance between the Scottish and Irish types seems, indeed, to be complete. Every variety of structure observed in the one country is to be found in the other, from the purely artificial island, framed of oak-beams, mortised together, to the natural island, artificially fortified or enlarged by girdles of oak-piles or ramparts of loose stones; from the island with a pier projecting from its side, to the island communicating with the mainland by a causeway. If there be any difference between the crannoges of the two countries, it is that the number of crannoges constructed altogether of stones is greater in Scotland than in Ireland—a difference which is readily explained by the difference in the physical circumstances, of the two countries. Among the more remarkable of the Scotch crannoges is that in the loch of Forfar, which bears the name of St. Margaret, the queen of King Malcolm Canmore, who died in 1097. It is chiefly natural, but has been strengthened by piles and stones, and the care taken to preserve this artificial barrier is attested by a record of the year 1508.[12] Another crannoge—that of Lochindorb, in Moray—was visited by King Edward I. of England in 1303, about which time it was fortified by a castle of such mark, that in 1336 King Edward III. of England led an army to its relief through the mountain passes of Athol and Badenoch.[14] A third crannoge—that of Loch Cannor or Kinord, in Aberdeenshire—appears in history in 1335, had King James IV. for its guest in 1506, and continued to be a place of strength until 1648, when the estates of Parliament ordered its fortifications to be destroyed. It has an area of about an acre, and owes little or nothing to art beyond a rampart of stones and a row of piles. In the same lake there is another and much smaller crannoge, which is wholly artificial.[15] Forty years after the dismantling of the crannoge of Loch Cannor, the crannoge of Lochan-Eilean, in Strathspey, is spoken of as 'useful to the country in times of troubles or wars, for the people put in their goods and children here, and it is easily defended.' Canoes (Fig. 1) hollowed out of the trunks of oaks have been found, as well beside the Scotch as beside the Irish crannoges. Bronze vessels, apparently for kitchen purposes (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), are also of frequent occurrence, but do not seem to be of a very ancient type. Deer's horns, boars' tusks, and the bones of domestic animals, have been discovered; and in one instance a stone hammer, and in another what seem to be pieces for some such game as draughts or backgammon, have been dug up." (Fig. 7.)
Figs. 5 and 6.—Bronze Pots found in Loch of Banchory.
