Ossian Collection > Thoughts on the origin and descent of the Gael

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ters granted by the kings of Scotland to their
subjects. In a charter granted by Robert II. to
Ranulph, earl of Murray, Lochabre, May more,
Locharketh, Glengarith, Gienelgis, and Ross,
are described as lying within Boreali Ergadia, or
North Ergadia. And the lands of Gearloch, ly-
ing in Wester Ross, opposite to the north end
of the Isle of Skye, is described as situated with-
in the bounds of Ergadia.*
It is evident that the term Ros was not in an-
cient times applied to that portion of the county
of Ross now called Wester Ross. It extended
no farther than the extremities of the two Friths
by which it is washed on the southern and nor-
thern sides, which was an appropriate appellation
for that portion of the country : the height or
dorsum of this part of the country was Ardros, a
name which still remains.
There can be no doubt that the term Scuit
was, by the inhabitants of the low country of
Albinn, applied to the mountaineers or High-
landers in very ancient times; but with this ap-
pellation the Romans, it would appear, were not
acquainted till the fourth century.
Upon the invasion of the Roman empire by
the northern barbarous nations of the continent
of Europe, the Roman legions were withdrawn
from Britain for the defence of the capital and
centre of the empire. The Roman government
* See Introductio ad Historiam Scotorum, prefixed to FoRDUN.