Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric promontory fort, sited on the SW point of one of the narrow fingers of land extending into the head of Loch Sween. The promontory known as Rubha Cladh Eoin is cut off by a massive drystone wall, which springs from a rock on the NW flank, to run E for 20m, before turning sharply S to demarcate an area measuring about 55m by 30m.

The wall is well-preserved, standing to a height of 1m and a width of up to 2.5m, with three to four courses visible at the NE angle. There is a break in the walling on the E side, which may mark the original entrance. The interior was at one time planted with conifers, now removed, but trees still grow close to the wall.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape, measuring a maximum of 75m NE-SW by 65m transversely, to include the fort wall and the area enclosed by it, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an example of a prehistoric promontory fort, an unusual monument type in mid-Argyll. Despite some forestry planting in the interior, now removed, it retains the potential to provide important information about defensive architecture and contemporary economy and land use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NR 78 NE 7.

References:

Campbell, M. and Sandeman, M. (1964) 'Mid Argyll: an archaeological survey', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol. 95, 59, No. 383.

Ordnance Survey (1867) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, Book No. 57, 46.

RCAHMS (1988) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Argyll: an inventory of the monuments volume 6: Mid-Argyll and Cowal, prehistoric and early historic monuments, Edinburgh, 167, 169, No. 263 Plan, 167.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland