Description

The monument consists of an Iron Age fortified site, or dun, set on an islet. The dun is oval on plan, 16m E to W by 13m N to S, over a wall 2m thick which stands up to 1.2m high. There is a small boat landing on the W side of the islet, where there is a break in the wall, probably the original entrance.

Inside the dun are the remains of three substantial boat-shaped buildings, with walls 1.3m thick and up to 1.2m high. These probably post-date the dun, as does a smaller building to the W of the westermost example. Only very slight traces survive of a causeway which once connected the islet with the shore to the SE.

The area to be scheduled is the whole of the islet, 35m by 25m, to include the dun, internal buildings and land outside the dun in which there may be additional structures or deposits related to the construction and use of the dun, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a good field example of a lightly built island fortification, of Iron Age date but with subsequent use. It can provide information, through excavation and comparison with other sites in the area, for late prehistoric and earlier medieval defensive settlement. The semi-waterlogged conditions provide an opportunity for the survival of organic archaeological deposits, thus enhancing the information potential of the site.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NF 75 SE 6.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland