On the afternoon of the Saturday referred to in the above letter (December 4th, 1880), I accompanied Mr. MʽNaught to the _quondam_ "Knowe," and in a short time, by a few tentative diggings, the existence here of the remains of a crannog was put beyond a doubt. Our Secretary, R. W. Cochran-Patrick, Esq., M.P., who had already been communicated with, then brought the matter under the notice of the Honourable G. R. Vernon, Auchans, as Commissioner for the Earl of Eglinton; and after due deliberation it was agreed to make an immediate investigation of the crannog on behalf of the proprietor. Accordingly, on the 10th December 1880, six men were started to work in presence of Mr. Vernon, Mr. Cochran-Patrick, and several ladies and gentlemen interested in the discovery. It is needless to describe the subsequent management of the excavations. The peculiar and absorbing interest excited by the variety of the finds during the first few days soon developed the true spirit of inquiry among all concerned, and even the old and highly-respected farmer gave up his long-cherished theory of the "duck-shooting," and ultimately rendered valuable aid by protecting the trenches from the prying curiosity of the general public, and picking up relics from the stuff wheeled out, which became visible by long exposure to weather and heavy rains. By general consent, at least _nem. con._, I was appointed custodier of the relics; and now, acting on the old saying that possession is nine points of the law, I have assumed the rôle of historian.