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Latitude: 56.9658 / 56°57'56"N
Longitude: -7.5183 / 7°31'5"W
OS Eastings: 64769
OS Northings: 799613
OS Grid: NL647996
Mapcode National: GBR 7BT9.R4Z
Mapcode Global: WGV56.H53T
Entry Name: Dun Mhic Leoid,tower,Loch Tangusdale
Scheduled Date: 12 November 1991
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM5210
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Secular: crannog (with post-prehistoric use)
Location: Barra
County: Na h-Eileanan Siar
Electoral Ward: Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eirisgeigh agus Uibhist a Deas
Traditional County: Inverness-shire
The monument consists of a small late medieval defensive tower situated upon an artificially enlarged island in Loch Tangusdale. The tower is 6m square, with mortared walls 1.4m thick, and stands to 4.5m high. The entrance was on the NE side, but details have been obscured by the removal of facing stones. The tower appears to have been of 3 storeys. There is no reliable history, but a strong
tradition is that it formed a "dower" castle, subsidiary to Kisimul Castle in nearby Castlebay.
The island on which the tower stands is either artificial or has been artificially enlarged by the addition of a platform of boulders, with the tower standing on the W
extremity. Traces of a wall surround the entire extent of the island, with what may be a boat harbour visible below the tower on the N side. The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, 35m E-W by 20m N-S, to include the entire island and the tower, as marked in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a good field example of the simplest form of medieval castle found in the Western Isles, and its importance is enhanced by its proximity to the larger Kisimul Castle, with which it is traditionally associated. It is also important as one of a whole range of medieval defensive sites in the southern Western Isles, which range from walled islets to substantial and relatively sophisticated castles.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NL 69 NW 2.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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