"Then as regards the margin of this island, it appeared to have been palisaded; at least this was the case on its north-east side—that which only was visible. The piles used for this purpose were apparently of oak, and not great in girth; they were driven down into the mud bank as the foundation; and on these, as well as upon the beams, the cutting of an edged tool, not a saw, was quite distinct. Within these vertically placed piles, and resting on the surface, stones, it is said, were placed, which was the case more certainly around the whole margin. It is also said that stones were even placed outside of these piles, in a row, and on the very margin; but it is only probable that outwith this row there had been an outer course of piles, by means of which the stones were kept in position, but which, from weathering, had gone into complete decay.
"It is known that this island was approachable by means of a kind of stone causeway which led from the north-west margin of the lake. According to the report of those who saw it often, it was only of the breadth of 2 or 3 feet, and was never visible above the water of the loch, which on either side is said to have been 6 or 7 feet in depth. It is not said that this causeway was protected or fortified in any way by piling. It was near the south end of this causeway, along the north-east margin of the island, that in 1868 several canoes or boats, as many it was believed as four, in a less or more entire condition, were discovered. Only one of these, however, when found, was partly entire, and it even wanted some 2 feet at the bow to render it complete. But as this canoe, formed out of a single tree, and the bronze utensils which were found imbedded in mud within it, have been well described in Mr. Cochran-Patrick's paper, printed in the Society's Proceedings (vol. ix. 385), none of these need now be referred to, further than to say that the pot, the repair or clouting of which was with iron, is not by any means uncommon in shape."
Fig. 32.—Lion Ewer, the property of W. J. Armstrong, Esq., found in a canoe in the bottom of the Loch of Kilbirnie
(81⁄2 inches high).
The following is an extract from Mr. Cochran-Patrick's description of these relics, above referred to:—
"The canoe was discovered lying about 20 feet north of a small artificial island—itself an object of great interest, but now unfortunately overwhelmed by the advance of the iron-stone rubbish at the south-western end of the loch. It was hollowed out of a single tree, and was about 18 feet in length, 3 feet in breadth, and close on 2 feet in depth. It was broadest at the stern, which was square, and tapered towards the bow, and was entire, with the exception of about 2 feet broken off the narrowest end. There were indications that a hole in the bottom had been mended, and some wooden pins were in it which may have been used for this purpose, or for fixing at the side what is described to me as a sort of bracket. In the mud which filled the hollow of the canoe were found a lion-shaped ewer (Fig. 32) and a three-legged pot, both made of bronze, and also a thin plate or piece of metal which cannot now be recovered.
"The 'lion' stands 81⁄2 inches from the ground at the highest part, is 8 inches in length and 81⁄2 in girth round the body, and weighs 4 lbs. It is made of a yellowish bronze, and seems to have been used for holding liquid. It bears a striking resemblance, though smaller and less ornamented, to one figured and described at p. 556 of Wilson's Prehistoric Annals of Scotland (edition 1851). It will be observed that the one now shown wants the curious ornament projecting from the breast, though the place where it has been inserted is quite apparent. The bronze pot is 11 inches across the mouth, stands 14 inches high, and weighs 28 lbs. It resembles what are often called Roman camp-kettles. There are indications of its having been ingeniously mended."
General Remarks.