Description

The monument comprises the remains of a dun, a fortified settlement dating to the Iron Age (800 BC – 400 AD), on a small rocky island. A causeway links the island to the nearby shore. It is located in Tràigh Ùige/Uig Sands, at about 2m above sea level.

The dun measures approximately 16m from north northeast to south southwest by 12m overall, and about 7m across internally. Traces of several small cellular structures are visible within the walls of the dun. Remains of later structures are visible outwith the dun on the southwestern part of the island. The causeway extends north from the northwestern part of the island, measuring about 16m in length and up to three metres in width.  

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 or appreciation of the past as a well-preserved island dun with a causeway. It has potential to contribute to our understanding of the construction and function of island structures during prehistory. The stone fortification retains a good deal of its original structural features and 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.

The monument is a good example of an island dun and is therefore an important representative of this monument type. It is part of a wider cluster of island duns and brochs in this part of Lewis, including Dun Baravat, Crowlista (NRHE ID 4057), Dun Bharabhat (NRHE ID: 4020) and Loch na Berie, broch and causeway (SM5798, NRHE ID 4100). It can tell us about the character, development and use of defended settlements, and the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy in the Western Isles. As a relatively undisturbed high-status settlement site, it can inform our understanding of the Iron Age landscape of Lewis. 

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/4031/

HER/SMR Reference

https://her.cne-siar.gov.uk/Monument/MWE4031

Source: Historic Environment Scotland