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Langwell,fort and dun 500m WSW of

A Scheduled Monument in North, West and Central Sutherland, Highland

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Coordinates

Latitude: 57.9688 / 57°58'7"N

Longitude: -4.6891 / 4°41'20"W

OS Eastings: 241030

OS Northings: 900891

OS Grid: NC410008

Mapcode National: GBR G7SN.QVT

Mapcode Global: WH29G.YY8X

Entry Name: Langwell,fort and dun 500m WSW of

Scheduled Date: 10 February 1992

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM5302

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: dun

Location: Kincardine (Highland)

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: North, West and Central Sutherland

Traditional County: Ross-shire

Description

The monument consists of a fort and later dun. The fort and dun occupy a prominent knoll. The fort encloses the whole of the knoll and measures c. 120m N-S by 80m. The defences

consist of a stone wall around the top of the knoll, in which traces of vitrification can be seen, and scarping on the lower slopes on all but the W side. The entrance is in the NE side. The dun is circular, 15.5m in diameter, with a vitrified wall 5m thick and up to 2m in height above the interior.

Excavation in the 1970s indicated that the vitrified wall of the dun was originally timber-laced and also provided evidence for a radial set of post holes which probably supported a roof over the dun. The entrance is in the E and was flanked by a guard chamber. The area to be scheduled measures 200m E-W by 130m N-S, to include the whole knoll, as shown in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of prehistoric defensive architecture and domestic settlement. The development of the site, involving a fort which was later replaced by a dun, provides information for a sequence of defensive structures. In addition the dun is one of a very rare group of small timber-laced duns.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NC 40 SW 3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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