Description

The monument consists of a dun, occupying the summit of a small tidal island approximately 300m NW of Beinn Ceann a'Mhara.

The dun measures about 21m NW-SE by 25m transversely within a wall up to 3m thick. The outer face of the wall is visible for much of the circuit, in places up to 3 courses high, and with a maximum visible height of 0.8m. For most of its length, it follows the margin of the summit of the rock stack. The entrance is not discernable, but is likely to have lain somewhere on the NE side, the only reasonable access to the summit. Within the dun lie the remains of a later shieling-type structure.

The island is separated from the mainland by rock chasms up to 14m deep, and at the narrowest at least 3m wide. Access on foot is possible only at low tide. The position is therefore very strongly defensible.

The area to be scheduled consists of the whole of the rock stack above the mean high water mark, approximately oval in shape and measuring a maximum of 55m NW-SE by a maximum of 30m NE-SW, as defined in red on the accompanying map. The area contains the dun and an area surrounding it in which evidence for the original access to and occupation of the dun may survive.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved field monument which has the potential to provide information about later prehistoric architecture. The monument is one of several, broadly contemporary sites within close proximity of each other, which therefore enhances its potential to provide information about the nature, organisation and development of Iron Age society.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Reference:

RCAHMS, Argyll 3, No. 174.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland