Note 24 — Chapter II
Reading edition
The existence of these coins in the crannog is thus explained by Mr. Dalrymple:—"It is known that the island has been planted two or three times, and that considerable quantities of soil and stones have been added to it. The two feet of soil which covered the uppermost remains, and which so much raised the centre of the crannog, was probably added, in great part, about 1720, when Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair laid out the grounds of Castle Kennedy. Some of these operations may, to some extent, have disturbed the remains. They would, at all events, account for the modern coins found so far below the surface."