Description

The monument comprises a dun, a substantial fortified stone structure dating to the Iron Age (800BC-400AD),  stone-built rectangular structures and enclosing wall of likely medieval date (400-1500AD). It occupies an artificial island, measuring about 60m from north to south by about 42m, in the north part of Loch Huna at about 5m above sea level. A causeway extends from the north of the island, linking it to the loch shore.

The dun is broadly D-shaped in plan. It measures around 30m from northwest to southeast by about 17m, within walls up to 1m thick and standing up to about 1m high. There are possible entrances on the north and south. A causeway, which is likely contemporary with the dun, extends north-northwest from the north of the island for about 55m. It measures up to about 2.5m in width and is now largely submerged. 

A rectangular structure, visible as stone footings, lies within the dun, obscuring any internal features. It measures about 18m by 5.6m internally, with an entrance on the eastern side. Four additional structures or enclosures lie to the northwest and east. All likely date to the medieval period. An enclosing wall, standing up to a maximum height of about 1.5m and with possible entrances on the east and south, follows the shore of the island.

The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. 

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it makes a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the past as an Iron Age fortified settlement with medieval reuse. It has the potential to contribute to our understanding of the construction and function of island duns, as well as their reuse into the medieval period. There is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within and around the site. The monument can significantly add to our understanding of domestic settlement, society, agriculture and economy during the Iron Age and the medieval period.

The monument is a particularly good example of an island dun with medieval reuse and is therefore an important representative of this monument type. The enclosing wall suggests that this settlement was defended during the medieval period and is likely to have been high status. It is a rare example of a medieval settlement on an island with a large defensive wall and a rare example of a defended settlement in the Uists. It is part of a wider phenomenon of island duns and brochs showing later reuse across the Western Isles, including Dun Buidhe, broch and medieval and later settlement (SM2559, NRHE ID 9959), Eilean Iain,dun,Loch Eilean Iain,Benbecula (SM5208, NRHE ID 9974), and Loch Cnoc A' Buidhe (NRHE ID 9826). Study of the monument alongside these sites has the potential to inform our understanding of medieval reuse of prehistoric fortified sites, the distribution and chronology of such sites, their role in society as well as changing settlement patterns and chronology. 

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/10233/

HER/SMR Reference

https://her.cne-siar.gov.uk/Monument/MWE10233

Source: Historic Environment Scotland