There is one of a fimilar appearance, but much larger; it is now generally thought to be natural.

On the top of the Knock-hill is the veftige of a fmall camp, with three regular entrenchments. Above Hailley, and directly oppofite to the camp juft mentioned, about the distance of three miles, are the remains of an ancient fortifi cation, which is ftill called the Caftle-hill.

There are likewife feveral tumuli in the parifh, generally believed to have been raised after the battle of Largs, over the bodies of the flain. This battle was fought in the reign of King Alexander III. in 1263, between the Scots and Norwegians. The Scotch army was commanded by Alexander Stewart, grandfather to the firft Monarch of that family. The Norwegians or Danes, under Haco their King, were routed with great flaughter, and many of them taken prifoners. Haco himself escaped, with great difficulty, to his fhips.

The field of battle is still shown. A large plain, to the fouthward of the village of Largs, is fuppofed to have been the fcene of action. Cairns of ftones were on it, formed, it was faid, over pits, into which the bodies of the flain were thrown. A course granite ftone, about 10 feet high, food in the centre of this field, fuppofed to be erected over the body of a chieftain. It has now fallen down.

The Earl of Glafgow and Mr Brisbane had, each of them, Danish axes found in the field. Mr Brisbane prefented one

of them to the Society of Antiquarians for Scotland.

Mr Wilson of Hailley, having occafion for ftones to inclofe part of his grounds in the year 1772, opened a fmall hill, called Margaret's Law, fuppofed to be natural, but found to be a collection of ftones, containing upwards of 15,000 cart loads; in the centre of which were difcovered five ftone coffins, two of them containing five fculls each,

with other human bones, and feveral earthen urns. It is generally believed they had been there fince the battle of Largs. The name Hailley feems to give countenance to this conjecture, being derived from the old Saxon word had il, a grave.

In the parish of Dalry, on the fouth-eaft boundary of Largs, is a fai m, called Camp-hill, where the Scotch army is faid to have been encamped previous to the engagement.

Between that and the village of Largs is Routdonburn, fuppofed, to derive its name from a detachment of Haco's army being routed there; and Don. is a contraction for Dane. What renders this more probable is, that, on the bank of the Routdonburn, is a large cairn of stones; upon removing part of which, lately, a ftone coffin was found. Between that and the fea is Burly-gate; a little lower, in the Earl of Glafgow's plantations. is Killing-craig; and farther fouthward is Kipping-burn, where, it is faid, a number of the flying Danes were met by Sir Robert Boyd, ancestor to the Earl of Kilmarnock, afterwards the friend and confident of the famous King Robert Bruce, and put to the fword. These names are a kind of confirmation of a battle having happened at this place.

Mifcellaneous Remarks.—The inhabitants of this parish are, in general, fober, induftrious, and economical. Though they enjoy very few conveniencies for making money, many of them are poff.ffed of confiderable fums.

Almoft all of them ftudy to provide for futurity; and thus they are enabled to make the most of their fituation. Accordingly, they are in general richer than many in the adjacent parishes, whofe advantages are greater.

The plague vifited Largs in 1644, and carried off great numbers; among others, Mr Alexander Smith, then minifter of the parish,

There

There is a tradition, that, before his death, he afferted that he should be the laft who would die of that disease, which happened accordingly *.

At the Outterwards, a farm in the north-eaft extremity of Brisbane eftate, on a small holm, lying on the water of Nodefdale, were difcovered the foundations of feveral fmall buildings, faid to be the remains of huts, to which the inhabitants of the village of Largs, and adjacent country, retired to avoid the infection. There is in Largs a weekly market on Thursdays, and four annual fairs, the most remarkable of which is St Columba's day, vulgarly called Comb's day, which is held on the fecond Tuesday of June.

This

His tomb is ftill to be seen, about half a mile above Brifbane-house, with the following infcription on a plain ftone, in which, it is faid, there is an allufion to the forementioned tradition, round the edge. Here lyeth the Reverend Alexander Smith, minister of Largs, a faithful minister of the gospel, removed by the peftilence 1644.

INSCRIPTION.

Conditus in

Tumulo hoc jaceo
Invinifque

Senexque; nempe
Annis juvenis,
Sed pietate
Senex, Divins
Eloguio, caelef-
tia dogmata
Vide abfterfi
Tenebras, meno.
tibus ore tonans
Attonilogue
Haefil animo
Per vera malo.

rum colluvies,

Verbis improba
Facto meis.

This fair is famous over the weft of Scotland, and continues from Monday to Thursday. Great numbers of people, from 40 or 50 miles round, refort to it, fome for business, and fome for pleature. Upwards of 100 boats are often to be feen, on this occafion, riding in the Bay.

The whole week is a kind of jubilee to the inhabitants, and a fcene of diverfion to others.

Such a vast multitude cannot be accommodated with beds; and the Highlanders, in particular, do not feem to think fuch accommodation neceffary. They spend the whole night in ruftic fports, caroufing and dancing on the green to the found of the bagpipe. Every one who chooses is allowed to join in this, which forms their principal amulement.

The candidates for the dance are generally fo numerous, that it is kept up without intermiffion during the whole time of the fair.

This was formerly the general meeting place of Highlanders and Lowlanders, for the purpose of exchanging the commodities which each of them could ipare for others of greater utility.

Since fhops have been opened, and pedlars have visited the different islands this fair has gradually decreased; it is ftill, however, better frequented than any in the country. Few scenes can afford objects more worthy of attention to the philofopher, who wishes to contemplate human nature in its fimplett and moft undifguifed forms, or to the benevolent man, who rejoices to fee that a great part of human happiness belongs to the virtuous poor.

Conclufion.-Fairley road is one of the most convenient in the Frith of Clyde Veffels of any burthen may ride in it at all feafons, and loofe from it with any wind.

Oppofite

Oppofite the village of Largs, the water is several fathoms deep almost at the very fhore. The inhabitants have generally a tafte for the fea; and many of them have money, which might be employed to good purpose in trade.

All circumstances contribute to render Largs proper for a fea-port town. The only obstacles are, the want of a harbour, and good roads through the country, to facilitate the conveyance of goods by land. Were thefe to be removed, fome kind of manufacture to be eftablished, and an act of Parliament procured for the roads, levying harbour dues, &c. the numbers and wealth of the inhabitants would at once be increased; and this would operate as a stimulus to the improvement of the foil. A place poffeffing fo many beauties and natural advantages, with the addition of trade and manufactures, would have inducements not only to retain the number of inhabitants, but to allure others to fettle there. If the parish, however, has not the advantage of more opulent diftricts, in trade, manufactures, and commerce, it is entirely free of the vices which luxury introduces; and, in this troublesome and distracted period, the inhabitants, with the exception of a few individuals, may be truly faid both to fear God and honour their King.

NUM