Description

The monument consists of a late prehistoric fortified island with an overlying medieval settlement situated on an island in Loch na Caiginn, linked to the loch shore by a substantial causeway.

The dun has been oval on plan, some 12.0m by 14.5m with a wall up to 1.8m thick. Its interior has been completely obscured by later activity, and the shoreward side of the defensive circuit has been modified by the provision of two short horn-works at the point where the causeway gives access to the island. These additions probably relate to the use of the island as a settlement in medieval times,

when two substantial rectangular buildings were constructed against and partly over the ruined dun's interior wall-face.

Access to the island is by a very substantial causeway of large boulders. This rises well above the loch level and varies from 1.2m to 2.0m wide. The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, measuring a maximum of 100m NE-SW by 65m NW-SE, to include the dun, settlement, causeway and an area around them (including a portion of the bed of the loch) in which further structural remains or archaeological deposits may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a re-occupied dun which offers the potential for recovery of information relating to late prehistoric defensive settlement and architecture and also to medieval domestic architecture, as well as to the material culture of both periods.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NF 97 SE 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland