Matheson Collection > Deirdire; and, The lay of the children of Uisne

144 NOTES
destroyed by fire from heaven because of its wicked-
ness, and that hence the burnt stones on the ridge.
Barragobhan was a vitrified fort, of which there were
many throughout the Highlands, and of which there
are still many remains. It is said that there were
seven duns or forts on this ridge. Some of these
are still traceable and their vitrified walls still
visible.
The whole surrounding country is full of place-
names of suggestive and reminiscent interest. There
are still two tall monoliths and two huge cairns left
untouched, but other pillared stones and other large
cairns are known to have been carried away and
used for building houses, dykes, culverts, and road
embankments, purposes which have been fatal to
antiquarian objects of all kinds, including churches,
oratories, sculptured crosses, and sculptured tomb-
stones.
Upon the southern slope of Beinn Laoire, near
the ridge of the hill and near the site of Dun
Bhallaire, is a green grassy spot — the site of an
ancient burying-place. Nothing now indicates the
place or the purpose of this spot. A lonely willow
tree bent with the load of age and the wind of
years grows solitary there. The last burial here
took place about the middle of last century.
The situation of the burial-place resembles that
of Cill Choirill, Lochaber; Cladh Chuirill, Cill
Choirirlein, Glencreran ; Cladh Choirill, Muckairn ;
Cill Choirill, Lochawe, all dedications to St. Cyril
of Alexandria.