From New Statistical Account of Scotland 1834-45
"Fowlis appears to have been a favourite seat of the Druids. Several of their clachans have been demolished, but there are still four large Druidic stones, standing west from the village, one of which is a cromleach, or altar-stone, in which there is an artificial cavity, where the blood and oil of the sacrifices flowed. On the summit of the hill, due north from the same place, there is a Druidic circle of stones, and a double concentric circle. This is believed to have been the temple of an arch Druid, which when erected was probably in the midst of a forest in which were the oak, and consecrated grove, the favourite objects of their superstition. The circle consists of sixteen stones, between which and the double circle there is a large stone incumbent, where the arch Druid stood, and addressed himself to those around him. The outer precinct of the concentric circle is 18 yards in circumference, in which are forty stones. Three yards north from it, there is a large standing stone, which is probably monumental of some illustrious dead, as they were then interred around those places, where they worshipped the Supreme Being. To the west of this temple, there is a Si'un, which signifies in Gaelic a mount of peace, near which is a fairy hillock, where urns have been found, and which was believed to have been inhabited by an inferior kind of genii, called fairies. On the Si'uns, the Druids held assizes, when it was customary to kindle a large bonfire, called Samhin, or the fire of peace. On Hallow eve, a Druidical festival, these fires are still lighted up, in this district, and retain the same name."
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Posted by thelonious
12th November 2012ce
Edited 14th November 2012ce
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