A mystery solved

Sir, The object found by Mr Rowe (NT Sept 21 "Mystery object leaves beachcomber baffled") is a stone drill used for boring holes in, say, soapstone.

The drill would be rotated by a small bow, cut from a juniper bush and fitted with a leather thong.

The broken end would be the same as the other end and would fit into a socket in a small block of wood suitable for the hand.

The square section would enable the leather to grip the drill and turn the drill as the bow is moved back and forward.

Stuart Gray-Thompson,

Vagastie,

Lairg.