Note 104 — Fifth Lecture. THE LAKE-DWELLINGS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. (continued 2)

The question of submarine crannogs is still obscure, and the few facts that have come to light leave the matter in doubt as to whether the structures were originally constructed in the water or on dry land and subsequently submerged, in consequence of changes in the relative levels of sea and land. The only remains of this character that I know of in Britain are—(1) a cairn of stones on a substratum of wood near the island of Eriska, at the mouth of Loch Crerar; (2) the Black Cairn, in the Beauly Firth; and (3) some stumps of piles in Ardmore Bay, county Waterford. The mound at Eriska, which was found on examination to be of circular shape and 60 feet in diameter, was dry at low water, but submerged at spring-tides to the extent of five feet. Some ashes and charcoal and the broken bones of sheep and small oxen were the only relics of human occupancy found. The Black Cairn is noticed in the Statistical Account of Scotland, and also by Miss Maclagan. It is about four hundred yards within flood-mark. The top is only visible at low water, and the base is said to be composed of very large wooden beams.