monks of the Cistercian order, by Sommerled, Lord of Cantyre and the Isles, who died in 1163, and finished by his son Reginald. Built in the form of a cross, the length from east to west is about 136 feet, by 24 over walls; and the transept from north to south is 78 by 24 feet. At the south end were the cloisters.

The civil history of Cantyre, and the adjacent country, anciently called Dal-ruaidh, where the Scots first settled, is traced with great ingenuity by Dr Smith, in his Statistical Account of Campbelton. This peninsula was granted to the house of Argyle, after a suppressed rebellion of the Macdonalds of the Isles, in the beginning of the 17th century; and the grant was afterwards ratified by Parliament. There are few monuments of antiquity, except some rude pillars which mark the scenes of battles, and immense barrows which cover the dust of the slain.

Campbelton is a considerable trading town, created a royal borough in 1701, and the seat of a presbytery, on the sea coast, 73 miles SSW. of Inverary, and 100 WSW. of Glasgow, near the SE. extremity of the district. It has a good harbour, or bay, in the form of a crescent, two miles long and nearly one in breadth, having 6-11 fathoms water. On each side it is bounded by high hills, with a little island to shelter its entrance. On one side of the entrance, there is a deep but narrow passage; on the other is a beach connected to the land, and dry at the ebb of the tides. This borough is governed by a provost, two baillies, a dean of guild, councillor and treasurer; and, in conjunction with Inverary, Rothsay, Ayr and Irvine, returns a member to Parliament. It has some manufactures of cotton cloth and linen yarn; but the herring fishery is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. For the coasting and home trade, a more central position cannot any where be found.

The Mull, (Epidium prom.) within 13 miles of the coast of Ireland, forms the north entrance of the Irish channel, and the west entrance into the Frith of Clyde. Near the place

where a light-house has been erected, are the ruins of Bale macumra, a considerable Danish fort. On the top of a steep peninsulated rock, almost opposite to Sanda, stood Dunaverty castle, a residence of the Lord of the Isles, in which Robert Bruce took refuge during his adversity.-Sunda island, above a mile and a half in length, and half a mile in breadth, is noted as the place of rendezvous for the Danish fleet, in their descents on those coasts: hence it was called Avona Porticosa. In this island are some remains of a Popish chapel. Near the east coast of Sanda, there are two islets; and about a league southward is a dangerous shoal, called Paterson's rock, a mile in circuit, and covered at full tide.-Loch-Tarbert, at the north extremity of Cantyre, is one continued harbour that winds along about 12 miles, and opens to the sea on the west coast at Aird-Patrick. On ei ther side it is bounded by hills, rocks and heathy tracts. Betwixt the NE. end of that lake and Loch-Fyne, lies the neck of the peninsula, a mile in breadth, partly a morass, and partly intersected by strata of rock.

2. KNAPDALE is a mountainous and thinly inhabited district, bounded on the north by Argyle proper, on the east by Loch-Fyne, on the south by Cantyre, and on the west by the Sound of Jura; being about 20-25 miles from north to south, and 6-14 in breadth. The west coast is deeply indented by Loch-Gillisport and Loch-Swin, two inlets of the Some spots are tolerably fertile; but the greater part of it is barren, or adapted only to pasturage. A communication is opened between Loch-Crinan and Loch-Gilp, by a navigable canal across an isthmus, five miles in breadth, for the use of the Western islands and the fisheries.

sea.

3. COWAL lies between Loch-Fyne and Loch-Long, which, on the south, communicates with the Frith of Clyde. It is a mountainous territory, abounding in lakes and small streams, and deeply indented by inlets of the sea. The valleys yield tolerable pastures, but the hills are covered with heath. The village of Dunoon, formerly the residence of

the Bishop of Argyle, at present the seat of a presbytery, is situate on the east coast of this district, opposite to the mouth of the Clyde. Its castle was once a royal residence, of which the family of Argyle were constables.-Several miles northward, at the mouth of a river which flows from Loch-heck, stands Kilmodan, or Kilmund, an ancient collegiate church, founded by Sir Duncan Campbell of Loch-Awe, in 1442; and, since that time, used as the burying place of the Argyle family.-Loch-Long is 11⁄2 mile broad at its entrance, and extends, from the Frith of Clyde, 18 miles N. and NE, along the eastern border of Cowal. Near the north extremity of this lake lies the narrow valley of Glencroe, that extends five miles westward, on either side bounded by lofty and rugged mountains. It is watered by a rapid stream, augmented by torrents from the hills.-Between that valley and Loch-Goyle there is a flat-topped hill, commonly called Argyle's bowling-green.-On both sides of Loch-Goile the coast is bold and rocky; but the barrenness of the ground is partly concealed by extensive natural woods, which rise from the shore to a considerable distance. On the south border of that lake are the ruins of Carrick Castle, formerly a royal house, of which the Duke of Argyle is hereditary keeper, Between the castle and the sea there is a portion of the rock, which was surrounded by a strong wall, within which 100 men might stand for the defence of the castle, if attacked on that quarter. (see Lochgoilehead parish).

4. ARGYLE PROPER, or Askodnish, lies from SW. to NE. between Loch-Fyne and Loch-Awe; by the former separated from Cowal, and by the latter from Lorn. Being 24-26 miles in its greatest extent, and 10-14 in breadth, it is, for the most part, a hilly, barren, thinly peopled territory, abounding in fine scenery,-Loch-Awe is one of the most beautiful lakes in Scotland, 30 miles from SW. to NE, and 1-2 in breadth. The north end of it is broadest, and decorated with little islands. In one of these, called Inishail, are the ruins of a small Cistercian convent, with its

chapel. The temporalities of this religious house were, at the Reformation, granted to Hay, abbot of Inchaffery. In Froach-Elan are the remains of a castle, which, with some contiguous lands, was granted, by King Alexander III., to Gilbert M'Naughton, the chief of a clan, on condition that he should entertain the king whenever he passed that way.Inish-Chonnel, during several centuries, was a residence of the family of Argyle; and Inish-Eraith, in its neighbourhood, was the island to which the traitor Erath decoyed Duara. In this island is a burying-ground, with the ruin of a chapel. At the NE. extremity of Loch-Awe, on a rocky point projecting into the lake, are the remains of Castle Kilchurn, whose square tower was built, in 1440, by Sir Colin Campbell, knight of Rhodes, and ancestor of the Breadalbine family. Successive additions were made to it, and part of it was garrisoned by the King's forces, in 1745; but, since that period, it has been neglected, and is gradually tumbling to the ground.-From the northern end of this lake the river Awe runs westward to Loch-Etive, which opens to the sea opposite to the island of Mull. Near the mouth of the Awe, on the border of Loch-Etive, is Bunawe, where a quay is built for the reception of small vessels, which sail to Whitehaven, Liverpool, &c. with pig iron, tanners' bark, kelp, and salmon; and import iron ore for a foundry, meal, coals, tanned leather, &c. Northward of that river is a mountainous ridge, called Cruachan ben, 13 or 14 computed miles in circuit, and 3390 feet in height. It is steep towards the north-east, and slopes gently on the south; but rises with an abrupt ascent towards the summit, which is divided into two points, cach resembling a sugar-loaf. The sides of the mountain are covered with natural woods.

Inverary is a small, regularly built royal borough, consisting chiefly of one row of houses fronting the lake; 60 miles NW. of Glasgow, and 115 from Edinburgh by StirLing. It is governed by a provost, two bailies, and a coun

eil nominated by the Duke of Argyle; and is united with Ayr, Campbelton, Irvine, and Rothsay, in sending a mem ber to Parliament. It has some manufactures of woollens and linens; but its chief source of wealth is the herring fishery. In its neighbourhood an elegant seat was built by Duke Archibald, on an extensive lawn, between the lake and a semicircular ridge of wooded mountains. It is a quadrangular structure, with a round tower at each corner, and in the middle a glazed square one, to give light to the stair and galleries. About the year 1745 it was begun, and, after a short interruption during the Rebellion, was finished. In building, planting, improving, making roads, and in other works of utility and decoration, Archibald and his successors have expended, at Inverary, the enormous sum of 300,000%.— Loch-Fyne, which extends more than 30 miles from the Western ocean into the country, has been long noted for its herrings, which are of a very superior quality; and it is well adapted for fishing, having a clear bottom, free of banks and hidden rocks. The depth of water is 50-100 fathoms. The breadth of the first 16 miles from the entrance is about 3 miles; and the rest of it is from 1 to 2 miles.-A military road leads northward to Glenorchy, Tyndrum, King's house, Glencoe, Kinloch Leven, and Fort William.

Glenorchy and Glenetive, the NE. subdivision of the county, comprehend an area of 20 by 15 miles. It is, in general, a mountainous and barren country, partially wooded and well watered, containing iron and lead mines, and other minerals.-Dalmaly is a mean place, 16 miles N. of Inverary; thence a valley that reaches 12 miles NE. to Tyndrum, and on both sides is bounded by hills.

5. LORN, subdivided into Upper, Middle, and Lower, it bounded on the SE. by Loch-Awe, on the N. by Loch-Leven, and on the W. by the sea; being 30 miles from LochMelfort NE. to Loch-Leven, and 12-18 in breadth. It includes Appin, Glenco, Muckearn, Beneideraloch, &c. It Contains many pleasant tracts, abounds with natural wood,