Description

The monument consists of the remains of a promontory fortification, within which is a ruined broch, both dating to the middle or late Iron Age (c. 200 BC to c. 600 AD). The promontory fort is formed by a substantial wall of large boulders running for c. 30m across the narrow neck of a promontory, with an entrance at the NE end.

Elsewhere low sea-cliffs provide a natural defence. Within the wall stands the broch, represented by a large mound of rubble, within which can be ascertained sufficient facing stones of a 4m thick, circular, wall to establish an overall diameter of 18m. The entrance has been on the E.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, defined by the upper edge of the seacliff on the W, by a steep rocky scarp on the N, and on the E and S by a line 5m outside the outer face of the fort wall, giving maximum dimensions of 65m E-W by55m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for the evidence it contains concerning the development of defensive architecture in the Iron Age. In particular, the presence of two distinct defensive elements which may or may not be contemporary is rarer in the Western Isles than elsewhere in the north and west of Scotland.

In addition, the interior of the broch, and the area between the broch and fort wall, are likely to contain archaeological deposits which, upon excavation, would yield important information concerning domestic economy and land-use during the period.

As one of a local group of Iron Age settlements of varied type, the monument has particular importance for studies of the range of social unit, and its architectural expression, occurring during that era.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NF 60 SW 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland