Illus 1 Island in the Loch of . Survey 2004 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

Introduction and project background time in some depth. The sites produced a range of dates from the Early Iron Age up to the recent past. In 2004, a new initiative was set up under the auspices A key part of the project was to look at the extent of the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology and value of historical data for the use of loch dwell- (STUA) to examine in Perthshire. This paper ings in Perthshire. Seven of the sites selected were indi- is a preliminary report of the first stages of the cated on Pont’s chorographical survey as loch dwellings Perthshire Crannog Survey that is planned to continue that may have been in use during the 1580s–90s. Early in future with more comprehensive study of the sites re- maps are valuable sources of information but were cre- ported here and of other sites in the area. In-depth in- ated with basic resources and underpinned by different terpretation of the sites is not appropriate here and is aims and objectives to modern examples. Further docu- the subject of a PhD thesis being prepared by Matthew mentary evidence is needed before they can be inter- Shelley as a student at the University of . The preted with confidence so a variety of contemporary combination of field survey and historical data is an ef- and early sources were used to try to build up further fort to present as much information relating to the sites information about the sites. as possible. Radiocarbon dates noted in the text are calibrated to 2 sigma and have a 95.4% probability of being within the range shown. Further information re- The sites garding the radiocarbon dates is included in the table. No effort has been made to identify the type of timber Loch Clunie (NO113440) (Illus1) that was sampled, except to differentiate between oak and other types, as the species makes no difference to The island and possible crannog in Loch Clunie are the radiocarbon dating process. scheduled ancient monuments. Both were examined in The survey strategy was to acquire radiocarbon the past by the STUA (Dixon and Andrian, 1991) but dates with as little disturbance as possible to the sites during this survey the main island was only observed examined in an effort to relate them to archaeological briefly. It is an important site and would repay consider- and historical periods. It is not possible with single able efforts but it is dangerous to examine underwater dates to say whether they represent the original con- as it is surrounded by fallen and falling trees. The ear- struction of a site or a repair/maintenance event but lier short STUA survey indicated that the sides of the they do indicate times when the site was occupied. Data island do not look natural and may be the remains of from early maps and historical literature adds a new di- an earlier crannog on which the extant castle stands. It mension to some of the sites and may help to explain may be possible in the future to take useful timber features evident in later phases of occupation but it is samples for radiocarbon dating but the later build-up not usually clear how that information relates directly of material to create a foundation strong enough to to the evidence on the ground and this is an aspect un- support the castle may mean that such samples are der consideration by Shelley in his thesis. deeply embedded under the site. The historical infor- The county of Perthshire has a wide range of geo- mation included here points to the significant impor- logical conditions and the diversity in types of lochs tance of the site in later periods. reflects this. Some are shallow, surrounded by farmland and natural woodlands, while others are deeper and are Historical evidence often situated in more barren areas. The range is likely to produce crannogs of different forms, according to Pont’s map (Pont c1580s–90s, 23(2)) shows an island, the building resources available, and possibly different trees and a tower named as ‘Peel of Kluny’ in Loch functions, depending upon the proximity or lack of Clunie. There is a substantial body of historical data good agricultural land. One of the motivations for the referring to the island and the area around the loch. new survey was the 350th anniversary of Joan Blaeu’s Pont’s depiction corresponds to the site at NO 1132 Atlas Novus which is often regarded as the first atlas of 4401 which the RCAHMS describes as a well-preserved . The Scottish maps were largely based on sur- 16th to 17th century L-shaped with 18th vey work by Timothy Pont. The surviving fragments of century restorations. his manuscript maps can be accessed through the In 1466 (RGSS Vol II, 183) King James III awarded website of the National Library of Scotland. These Andree Gray of Kinnef the lands, lake, castle mount, maps indicate that certain islands in freshwater lochs meadow and superiority of the house of Clunie. In the were occupied. The sites are of considerable interest last quarter of the 15th century there was complex and they are being examined by Shelley for the first series of legal disputes over the island and its lands

Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal vol 12 2006, 70–80 72 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

involving the Herings, the crown and the diocese of After James was killed in Italy in 1581, aged 22, (RGSS Vol II, 419). In his biography of the Clunie reverted to his father whose will (Tytler 1819, bishops of Dunkeld (Hannay 1915, 310) Alexander 278) gives two years’ profits from the Clunie lands to Myln refers to the Herings, and the bitter nature of the his daughters Marie and Grissell as tocher. Clunie dispute at length. He also alleged that in the time of and Eliock passed to the younger son, Robert who had Bishop Thomas (1452–75) the island was occu- a violent and ultimately disastrous career, despite pied by robbers. James Hering and his son Andrew being knighted. were eventually ordered to refund the rents and profits By 1593 there was a charter of Sir Robert to Jacobo from the isle, loch and meadow of Clunie (ALCPA Vol Stewart de Stwikes, lord of Ballachane, for the lands II. p493). and barony of Clunie and Drummelie (RGSS Vol VI, 6) Bishop George Brown (1483–1515) made good Sir Robert’s lands were eventually forfeited when he Dunkeld’s claim. Around 1505, Brown made the island failed to answer a summons in 1602 following an as- the centre of one of four rural deaneries, overseeing lo- sault committed in the king’s presence. cal church affairs, the collection of rents and fines and By 1623 Joanni Stewart de Dowallie held the mains the settlement of debts. He also built a tower house, of Clunie, island and lake. In 1653 Kathrin Nairn and great barn and houses on the island. Myln says all but her husband James Ogilvie of Muirtoune had the the vaults were new. Other projects included a new pier Mains of Clunie with the new dovecote, loch, fishings, and a large boat plus construction of the chapel of St old castle and island. A year afterwards the Blaeu atlas Catherine. Brown used Clunie as a retreat from the text (Blaeu 1654, 89ff) refers to the tower on the loch. cares of Edinburgh and Dunkeld but was sometimes James Stobie’s map of Perthshire, dated 1783, shows absent for more than a year. One attraction of the is- the castle intact (Stobie 1783). In the Old Statistical Ac- land was its relative security. Brown took refuge there count of 1791–99 Rev Mr William McRitchie (OSA Vol during his final illness and following the abduction of IX, 231) writes of ‘a small but pleasant island, near the his niece Matilda Johnesoun by John Stewart. Brown centre of which stands an old castle, in good repair, an died at Clunie on 14 January 1514, in his 76th year occasional summer residence of the Earl or Airly …’ By (Hannay 1915, 320). this time the chapel was a ruin, replaced by a kitchen. Clunie ran autonomously and accounts refer to a substantial household and staff. The steward’s Drumellie Loch (NN141442) (Illus 2) accounts show that in 1505–06 Clunie’s ordinary expenses were’£43 8s 6d, compared to Dunkeld’s £196 Loch Drumellie lies along the Lunan Burn to the east of 10s 5d. Loch Clunie. It is about the same size as Clunie and it In the ensuing decades the island mostly remained has an island in it that is noted on Pont’s map with a in the hands of the diocese. Among its possessors was symbol for a building. The island is substantially earth Bishop George Crichton (1526–44) who, according to covered with alignments of stones running out from the Spottiswood (Tytler 1819, p7) was a man ’nobly dis- edge. The only timbers noted that might indicate posed, very hospitable, and a magnificent housekeeper; artificial construction were an oak pile and a small al- but in matters of religion not much skilled’. der pile beside it. The oak was sampled and gave a date Control of Clunie is not always clear as the bishop- of 1490±50 BP (GU-12345, cal AD430–660) which is ric and its lands were disputed for parts of the 16th surprising as both timbers were in very shallow water century. George’s nephew Robert Crichton claimed the bishopric and was in firm control of the diocese from 1554 until forfeiture in the early 1570s (Oxford DNB 2004). Conditions on the island at this time are uncer- tain. The 1558 accounts (Hannay 1915, 356) include a payment of 10s for ten locks and keys for Clunie. A sum of 7s, 6d, was made to Thome Vrycht for fitting locks, mending doors and making beds. Around 1560 the chapter of Dunkeld agreed to transfer tenure of Clunie to Robert Crichton of Eliock, Lord Advocate and brother of bishop George (Oxford DNB 2004). The Crichtons were closely associated with Maryian and Catholic interests and Tytler says gradual transfer and secularisation of control was to valuable property in the family around the time of the Reformation. According to one tradition James ’The Admirable’ Crichton was born on the island in 1561, and Tytler believes he spent much of his child- hood there. James’ signature appears on a deed for Clunie dated 20 June 1575, a year after he graduated from the University of . Illus 2 Plan of crannog in the Loch of Drumellie. Perthshire Crannog Survey 2004 73

near to the surface. The fact that they still exist sug- (NO 13959 44095) making it unsafe to conclude that gests that the loch level has never been significantly the main occupation was insular. lowered for a substantial period of time. Loch (NN840232) (Illus 3, 4) Historical evidence An interesting site was planned in The lands of Drumellie and Cluny were the property of near . There were many well-preserved timbers in Robert Creichton in the late 16th century but documen- the shallow water around the perimeter of the island tary evidence for the Loch of Drumellie is weak. Pont’s and deeper underwater there were vertical faces of or- map showed an island, or peninsula, with a tower in the ganic material that looked as if they had been exposed Loch of Drummelie (Pont c1580s–90s, 23(2)) And by collapse sometime in the last few hundred years. The Blaeu’s map of Breadalbane, drawn from Pont’s survey, upper timbers may have been placed there to contain shows a settlement in the loch. Pont’s work was revised and support the outer edge of the island. The deeper by Robert Gordon of Straloch and it may be that his remains contained many large and small timbers, both over-inking led Blaeu’s engravers to interpret the settle- piles and cross-pieces, some with the remains of ment as insular. There is a peninsula close to the island mortice joints.

Illus 3 Plan of crannog in Loch Monzievaird. 74 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

Illus 4 Aerial photograph of crannog in Loch Monzievaird.

An oak pile from a line of timbers, projecting Gordon of Straloch may misrepresent Pont’s original through the lochbed near the surface, was sampled and intention by overemphasising the site’s insularity. In the produced a date of 140±50 BP (GU-12346, cal absence of stronger evidence it appears that Pont is AD1660–1960) contrasting dramatically with a sample showing Cluggy Castle and not a structure on any of of a softwood timber projecting from the deep vertical the loch’s three islands. section which gave a date of 2520±50 BP (GU-12347, cal 800–480BC). This site is the clearest evidence of a Loch Earn, Edinample Crannog (Eilean Craggan) settlement constructed in the Early Iron Age and reused (NN598231) Illus 5, 6) very much later. There is no clear line of abandonment between the lower and upper remains on the site but it A tree-covered island at the west end of Loch Earn be- seems extremely unlikely that there was continuous oc- longed to the Campbells in the early 17th century. It is cupation throughout its existence. It is a site that would clearly of artificial construction with remains of a verti- repay further examination. cal stone wall and three boat noosts around the perim- eter and the foundations of stone structures on the top. Historical evidence Two large oak timbers project from the north side about 1 m underwater and other timbers were noted The site was possessed by the Murrays of deeper down around the bottom edge of the site with in the first half of the 16th century according to the lit- associated organic material including charcoal, burnt erature. Pont’s map showed an island, or peninsula, bone and animal teeth. A timber from the deeper re- with a tower in Loch Monzievaird (Pont c1580s–90s, mains on the west side gave a date of 1090±50 BP (GU- 21(2)). There are two prime candidates for the site. The 12344, cal AD810–1030). first was the artificial island at NN839232 which The Old Statistical Account of 1791–99 (OSA. Vol X, 741) Historical evidence says was traditionally thought to have been a prison for the nearby Cluggy Castle. However, the artificially Pont’s map shows a circular island in the west end of shaped mound on which Cluggy Castle stands is nor- Loch Earn (Pont c1580s–90s, 21(2)), but with no struc- mally called Dry Isle (NN837234) and was attached to ture indicated which probably represents Eilean the shore by a very narrow neck of land. Close exami- Craggan (NN59852306). This is mentioned in 1469 nation of the relevant section of the map (Pont 21(2)) when the farms of Glenamble and the “superior” island also suggests that revision and over-inking by Robert at the upper end of the loch were granted to Colin Perthshire Crannog Survey 2004 75

Illus 5 Plan of the surface of Edinample Crannog, Loch Earn.

Illus 6 Edinample Crannog, Loch Earn. 76 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

Campbell, Earl of (RCPS 1884. Vol VII, 625). of his brothers carried a boat across the mountains Craggan Isle is also mentioned as part of the dispute in from Loch Tay and attacked the last of the Clan Neish which Neish’s Isle in the east was occupied by the for supposedly stealing supplies meant for a Christmas Drummonds. In 1490, John, Lord Drummond, swore to feast. Pont’s map (Pont c1580s–90s, 21(2)) shows an destroy the house on the eastern island and take his island at the east end of Loch Earn with three buildings boat to the western island (Porteous 1912, 33). There named as ‘Ylen Loch Erin’. Blaeu’s atlas (Blaeu 1654, are charter references to a port and isle dating between 89ff) says Loch Earn has an island with defence and 1620 to 1683. There is little indication of what the is- Neish’s Isle may also be the loch dwelling depicted on land was used for but a 1620 reference attributes it to Loch Earn in the 1595 imprint of Gerhard Mercator’s Jonetam Stewart de Ruthven (RGSS Vol VII, 773). map Scotiae Regnum (south sheet) (Mercator, 1595). A much quoted reference shows that in 1446 Andrew Neish’s Isle (NN691243) (Illus 7) Mercer, chamberlain of the earldom of Stratherne, was paid an annual fee and expenses as keeper of the isle of At the east end of Loch Earn is a site known as Neish’s Loch Earn of 53s 4d (RCPS 1884, Vol V, 249). A year be- Isle. There are still substantial remains of stone build- fore the island was described as a manor. The Mercers ings on the island and a very well-formed boat noost, were an important mercantile family who had been es- or small harbour. The mound is deep and steep-sided tablished in Strathearn and Perth since at least the 14th with substantial amounts of modern debris and century and Andrew Mercer of Inchbrakie was well timbers around the base that have washed in. There connected at court. The role of chamberlain had espe- were no obvious timbers or organic deposits observed cial significance at this point as the earldom had been in in the survey that were clearly related to the structure abeyance since forfeiture by the crown in 1437 and was of the site and no samples could be acquired for radio- in royal administration. This continued until 1484 and carbon dating. its transformation into a stewartry administered by the Murrays of Tullibardine. Historical evidence The Red Book of Mentieth (Fraser, W 1880. Vol I, 403) claims that the Stewarts of Ardvorlich fled there A traditional tale identifies the island as the location in the 1640s during their conflict with the Grahams for a massacre when Smooth John MacNab and eleven (McNish,1925, 40). That the island was a useful

Illus 7 Plan of Neish’s Isle, Loch Earn. Perthshire Crannog Survey 2004 77

bolt-hole at this period is entirely possible as the tween the 15th and 17th centuries. On shore directly Stewarts of Ardvorlich were closely involved with the beside the island is a disused limekiln and there are re- Montrose rebellion and a bloody feud with the Clan mains of a pier that lead out towards the site although Gregor. The 1683 imprint of John Adair’s (1650–1722) it is unlikely that these features were associated. map of Strathearn shows the island with buildings and a flag flying. , Port an Eilean (NN812596) ( Illus 9)

Loch Tay, Croftmartaig Island (NN751437) (Illus 8) In 1932, the raising of Loch Tummel for a hydro-elec- tric power scheme resulted in the drowning of a sub- Part of this crannog, near the village of Acharn, is ex- stantial island off Port an Eilean. Early maps and posed all year round although it is almost wholly un- photographs show the position of the site which is now derwater in winter. The area above the surface is three metres under the water and is covered with the roughly circular while underwater the mound extends stumps of trees felled before submergence. The remains to the SW almost the same distance again. Timbers em- of a well-made flagstone floor with a path leading to a bedded in organic material, including bracken and flight of steps that went down to the lochbed, some 2 burnt bone, were discovered at the deepest part of the metres deeper, are still very obvious. One of a number site off the north side. The tops were cut from two soft- of upright timbers at the bottom of the steps was wood piles and gave dates of 2230±50 BP (GU-12342, sampled and produced a date of 130±50 BP (GU-12339, cal 400–170BC) and 2210±50 BP (GU-12343, cal 400– cal AD1660–1960). 160BC). It seems likely that the circular part of the site above the water is a later addition but that the original Historical evidence construction was in the Iron Age. According to the literature the site was inhabited from Historical evidence the 15th century until the middle of the 17th century No reference to the island has so far been noted in writ- and Pont’s map shows a tower in the loch (Pont c1580s– ten sources but it may have had some significance when 90s, 23(2)). The Isle of Loch Tummel, like Neish’s Isle the Campbell’s controlled the area as it projects above and Clunie, was of considerable local significance. In the water as much as other islands used by them be- 1913 Odo Blundell said Duncan Ravar M’Donald, chief

Illus 8 Plan of Croftmartaig Crannog, Loch Tay. 78 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

Loch Rannoch, Eilean nam Faoilaig (NN531577) (Illus 10)

An island at the west end of , known as Eilean nam Faoilaig, is a mound of stones supporting a small tower. A large oak timber, lying partly embedded under the stones on the east side of the mound, and wood from lower down on the west side were sampled for radiocarbon dating. The oak gave a date of 900±50 BP (GU-12340, cal AD1020–1250) and the lower sample produced 730±50 BP (GU-12341, cal AD1210–1330). Early references indicate post-Mediaeval occupation of the island but it was clearly constructed much earlier.

Historical evidence

There are references to occupation of the island from the middle of the 15th century until the middle of the 17th century and the tower is a 19th century folly. Pont’s map shows an island with a tower named’‘Ylen Illus 9 Plan of An T-Eilean, Loch Tummel. Loch Rennach’ in Loch Rannoch (Pont c1580s–90s, 23(1)). This is probably Eilean nam Faoileag which had a turbulent history. On 15 August 1452 it was in the of the Clan Donnachie, built a strong house there hands of Robert Duncansoun de Strowane (RGSS Vol (NMRS record NN85NW1). In the 1430s Duncan the II, 109). In 1502 it was part of the lands of Robert Stout was traditionally given the island and loch and Menzies of that ilk, and in 1533 Alexandro Menzies is was praised by King James II for his role in capturing recognised as holding the barony of Rannoch (RGSS the killer of James I. The island remained the seat of Vol III, 279). the Robertson’s of Strowan under the superiority of the However the island became the focus of a power earls of Athol as is shown by a charter of 1529 (RGSS struggle. Amelia Georgiana Murray MacGregor says Vol III, 7). Blaeu’s atlas refers to the island as a princi- that in 1523, Janet, Countess of Athole, ordered Robert pal strength of the area (Blaeu 1654, 89ff) however, Menzies to expel the laird of MacGregor but he lacked James Stobie’s 1783 map depicts it as a ruin.

Illus 10 Plan of Eilean nam Faoileag, Loch Rannoch. Perthshire Crannog Survey 2004 79

Table 1 Perthshire Crannog Survey radiocarbon dates. site lab code sample mat years BP δ13C (0) calibrated dates 1σ 2σ Loch Tummel, GU-12339 wood, post 130±50 -23.9 0 AD 1800Ð1890 AD 1660Ð1960 Port an Eilean Loch Rannoch, GU-12341 wood 730±50 -26.6 0 AD 1240Ð1310 AD 1210Ð1330 Eilean nam Faiolaig GU-12340 wood, oak 900±50 -27.1 0 AD 1030Ð1210 AD 1020Ð1250 Loch Earn, GU-12344 wood, soft 1090±50 -29.5 0 AD 890Ð1000 AD 810Ð1030 Edinample Crannog (Eilean Craggan) Loch Drumellie GU-12345 wood, oak 1490±50 -27.2 0 AD 530Ð640 AD 430Ð660 Loch Monzievaird GU-12346 wood, oak 140±50 -26.6 0 AD 1670Ð1950 AD 1660Ð1960 GU-12347 wood, soft 2520±50 -28.0 0 700Ð 540 BC 800Ð480 BC Loch Tay, GU-12342 wood, soft 2230±50 320Ð200 BC 400Ð170 BC Croftmartaig Crannog GU-12343 wood, soft 2210±50 370Ð200 BC 400Ð160 BC (Acharn)

the resources to do so (MacGregor 1898–1901, ch3). In team can produce useful results which add to the ar- 1530 John, Earl of Athole, was sent by the king to take chaeological record with minimum disturbance to the Isle of Loch Rannoch and in December 1531 sites. The combination of radiocarbon dates and his- asked the crown for the isle to be given to him along torical references produces a much broader understand- with compensation for having taken and kept it at his ing of the sites, although this paper has not attempted own expense. to, nor was it intended to, discuss the deeper implica- By 1563 Colin Campbell of Glenorchy was in a posi- tions of the evidence at this time. The results amply tion to award Rannald McRannald McConilglas of reflect the possibilities, and the limitations, of docu- Keppoch ’the tuenty pound land of Rannocht … with mentary data in providing insights into Scottish loch the loch Ile and fischingis …’ (Innes 1855, 206). He was dwellings. It is hoped future work will enable all ordered to make it his principal residence and “bring the crannogs and islands in the region to be given an appro- samyn to quitnes” and keep out the McGregors. priate place in the archaeological record. But on October 28, 1564, Colin Campbell of Glenorchy and Rannald McRannald McConilglas of Keppoch were ordered to stop occupying the isle which Acknowledgments was declared the rightful property of James Menzies (RCPS 1877, Vol I, 289). They are accused of fortifying Thanks to Perth and Heritage Trust for sup- the island against the queen’s wishes and filling it with porting the project and to David Strachan for his advice broken men from the Highlands. By August 1569 and assistance. Thanks also to Barrie Andrian and Rannald McRannald McConilglas of Keppoch had re- Maria Guagnin for their skills in underwater archaeol- nounced Rannoch and was compensated by Colin ogy and Mr Halliwell and Tom Coope for their help in Campbell with the parsonage and rectory of the kirk of accessing the site in Loch Tummel and for copies of the Kilmanavag in Loquhaber. early photographic evidence. We are also grateful to the In 1591 there is confirmation of the Isle of Rannoch various landowners who allowed us access to the sites to Alexandro Menzies (RGSS Vol V, 673). However, in including, Mr Brian Souter for Loch Monzievaird, and 1642 (RGSS. Vol IX, 391) the lairds of Glenorchy were Ian Orrock for access to, and ongoing support for, confirmed in a series of lands including the island and in research at Eilean Craggan, Edinample, in Loch Earn. 1652 Sir James Campbell of handed the loch and isle to James Campbell of Fordew. Nonetheless the is- land was used as a muster point by the royalist Earl of References Glencairn in the uprising of 1653–54 (Graham 1820, 63). Blaeu, J 1654 Atlas Novus. NLS website. http:// www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/map/early/blaeu/blaeu_ Summary and conclusions atlas_index.html Burnett, G (ed) 1884 Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, Vol The results of the first Perthshire Crannog Survey add VII. Edinburgh. to our understanding of the chronology and function of Burton, J H (ed) 1877 Register of the Privy Council of crannogs and islands in the area. The range of radioc Scotland. Series 1, Vol I. Edinburgh. arbon dates between the 20th century AD and the first Dixon, T N and Andrian, B L 1991 Underwater Survey: half of the first millennium BC are of significance, par- Loch of Clunie, Perthshire. Report for the Royal ticularly when both extremes are found on the same site Commission on the Ancient & Historical at Loch Monzievaird. The survey showed that a small Monuments of Scotland. 80 Nick Dixon and Matthew Shelley

Fraser, W 1880 Red Book of Menteith, Vol I, p403. History of the Clan Gregor. (1898–1901) Amelia Edinburgh. Georgiana Murray MacGregor. Abridged version Goldman, L (ed) 2005. Oxford Dictionary of National online atwww.wideopenwest.com/~GreersWest/ Biography. Oxford. www.oxforddnb.com European%20Roots/clangregor.htm Print version: Graham, J (of Deuchrie) 1820 An Account of the History of the Clan Gregor: from public records and Expedition of William the Ninth Earl of Glencairn private collections (1898–1901) Amelia Georgiana as general of His Majesties Forces in the highlands Murray MacGregor (Edinburgh). of Scotland in the Years 1653 and 1654. Miscellanea OSA Old Statistical Account of Scotland. Scotia. Vol IV. . National Library of Scotland. Maps of Scotland 1560– Hannay, R K (ed) 1915 Being Accounts of the Bishopric 1928 are available online at www.nls.uk/ with Myln’s “Lives of the Bishops” (AD 1483–1517). digitallibrary/map/early/index.html SHS. Second Series. Vol X. 1915. Edinburgh. Oxford DNB. Available in electronic version at Innes, C 1855 The Black Book of Taymouth. William www.oxforddnb.com Bowie. Edinburgh. The Pont manuscript maps are available online from the MacGregor, A G M 1898–1901 History of the Clan National Library of Scotland at http://www.nls.uk/ Gregor: from public records and private collections. pont/general.html. Chapter 3. Edinburgh. McNish, D 1925 History of the clan Neish or MacNish Abbreviations of Perthshire and Galloway. Edinburgh & . Mercator, G 1595 Scotiae Regnum (south sheet). Maps ALCPA Acts of the Lords of Council in Public Affairs of Scotland 1560–1928. NLS website. http://www.nls NLS National Library of Scotland .uk/digitallibrary/map/early/index.html Oxford DNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Neilson, G and Paton, H (eds) 1918 Acts of the Lords OSA Old Statistical Account of Council in Public Affairs, 1496–1501. Vol II. p493. RGSS The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland Edinburgh. RPCS Register of the Privy Council of Scotland Pont, T c1580s–90s, National Library of Scotland. SHS Scottish History Society http://www.nls.uk/pont/general.html SRS Scottish Record Society Porteous, A 1912 Annals of . Crieff. Sinclair, J (of Ulbster) (ed) 1791–1799. Old Statistical Account of Scotland. http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc- Abstract scot/ This paper outlines some preliminary results of the Stobie, J. 1783. Map of Perthshire. Maps of Scotland Perthshire Crannog Survey which is researching the 1560–1928. NLS website. http://www.nls.uk/ area’s freshwater loch settlements. Much past research digitallibrary/map/early/index.html has emphasised the origins of Scotland’s abundant Thomson, J M, et al (eds) 1882–1914. Registrum Magni artificial and modified islands—normally called Regum Scotorum (The Register of the Great Seal of crannogs—and tends to see them in isolation from their Scotland AD 1306–1668. Reprinted 1984. Edinburgh. natural counterparts. The result is that they are often Tytler, P F. 1819. Life of James Crichton of Cluny considered in a largely prehistoric context rather than as Commonly Called the Admirable Crichton. Elibron a phenomenon which continued to be significant into Classics reprint 2005. Edinburgh. the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods. This sur- vey attempts to use historical and archaeological data to Online sources explore the possibilities for developing fuller biographies of crannogs and other occupied islets. The results tend A number of the sources quoted are from online to support this approach as they indicate a wide range sources, or can be accessed electronically as well as in of dates for when islands were in use and indicate more print. Such sources have only been used where their ac- about their roles in later periods. curacy is readily verifiable. Keywords Atlas Novus (1654) Joan Blaeu. Available online from crannog the National Library of Scotland at http:www.nls noost .uk/digitallibrary/map/early/blaeu/blaeu_atlas_index Pont .html Radiocarbon dates

This article was published with the aid of a grant from Heritage Trust.