Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

14-8
F I N G A L. Book II.
ancient Book of Canons, from which it appears that the old Irijh buried
their Dead in the fame Manner.
We learn from the Epitaph of the Robber Balijla, and from feveral
Pafiages in other ancient Authors, that Malefaftors were fometimes buried
under Heaps of Stones. It is certain that the Barrows in the Highlands
and Ifies were intended for illuftrious Perfons, or thofe of the higheft Dig-
nity among the People. The Expence of Time and Labour, to which
thefe huge Piles muft have fubjefted the Builders, together with the Coffins
and Urns found within them, leave no Room for a Doubt in this Matter.
In one of thefe Barrows, whicli the Rev. Mr. John Macpherfon faw himfelf
A third Cairn on the Farm of Brankamntim, near Kil-Hillock, was opened very lately ;
and in the Middle was found a Coffin only two Feet fquare, made of Flag-Stones fet on
their Edge, and another by Way of Cover. The Urn was feated on the Ground, filled
with Afhes, and was furrounded in the Coffin with Charcoal and Bones, probably Bones
belonging to the fame Body, which had not been reduced to ACies like the Contents in
die Urn.
A fourth Urn was difcovered in a Cairn on the Hill of Dciub, overlooking the River
Denjron and Town of Bamff. This was alfo placed in a Coffin of flat Stones, with the
Mouth downwards (landing on another Stone. The Urn was ornamented ; but round it
were placed three others, fmaller and quite plain. The Contents of each were the fame ;
Alhes, burnt Bones, Flint Arrow-Heads with almoft vitrified Surfaces, and a Piece of
Flint of an oval Shape flatted, two Inches long, and an Inch and a Half thick. There
was alfo in the larger Urn and one of the lefler, a fmall flender Bone four Inches long,
and fomewliat incurvated and perforated at the thicker End : it is apparently not human ;
but the Animal it belonged to, and the Ufe, are unknown.
The Materials of the Urns appear to have been found in the Neighbourhood ; and
confift of a coarfe Clay mixed with fm dl Stones and Sand, and evidently have been only
dried and not burnt. By the Appearance of the Infide of the larger Urn, it is probable
that it was placed over the Bones while they were hot and full of Oil ; the whole Infide
being blackened with the Steam ; and where it may have been fuppofed to have been in
Contaft with them, the Stain pervades the entire Thicknefs.
broke