slope, and are 22 in number. The width at the head or north end is 118 feet, and at the bottom is 188 feet. The length in the centre is 145 feet, but there is no proof that this was the original length, and the presumption is the reverse. The average bearing is north and south, and the fall 10 feet 3 inches. The largest stones now remaining are about 3 feet high, 3 feet wide, and 1 foot 6 inches thick. There are numerous blocks of stone lying about the head, where, however, the rock is exposed, but the example of Garrywhin makes it probable that a cairn once existed on this knoll. There are no traces of any sunk grave, but the cairn may have contained a chamber above ground, like many in the vicinity.
The group at Camster is on the moor, on ground falling slightly to the south-west. A considerable depth of peat overlies the rock here, and many stones are below the surface. There are now six lines ascertained. The length is 105 feet, width at the head or north end 30 feet, and at the tail or lower end 53 feet. The average bearing is north and south. The stones are smaller than at the last mentioned group. There is no cairn or other grave apparent close to these lines, but in a direction due north, at 346 feet, is a chambered cairn. No stones are now traceable between; but as there are gaps in the lines themselves, this blank interval may once have had lines on it to connect the cairn with the existing group. No habitation now exists near the spot, but there were many in this strath, which may account for destruction of stones in former times. A few hundred feet farther north is the huge horned cairn described by Mr. Anderson, and at 436 feet N.N.E. from the small cairn is the round chambered cairn described in the same paper.
Circle at Achanloch, Estate of Forse, in Parish of Latheron.
The name is spelt Achinloch and Auchinleck. These no doubt are wrong, and probably the name is derived from Gaelic words signifying "The Field at the Loch," or "The Field of the Stones," from these standing stones. The place is close to the new road from Lybster to Thurso. This series of standing-stones, entitled "circle," as a class-name, is in the form of a donkey's shoe, the length being N.N.W, and S.S.E., the open end to the latter. The sides are nearly parallel. The area is covered with heather and peat, on a substratum of rock of the slaty character common to the district. The ground falls from the area to the west, north, and east. In the latter direction, the ground falls only for a short distance, and then rises to much higher ground. On the north-east, at 700 feet or 800 feet, is the loch of Stemster.
There is no evidence that the two south ends were ever joined by a straight or curved line of stones; and as the sides are of equal length, we may infer that they never were joined, though possibly intended
