Field Visit
Date June 1969
Event ID 1176008
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1176008
NN 029 242. One of the best-preserved duns in Lorn occupies a commanding position overlooking the valley that runs between Taynuilt and Kilchrenan. It stands on the highest part of the E end of a rock ridge (210m OD) situated 1.55 km NW of Kilchrenan, and is protected by steep slopes on all sides except on the W where there is a gentle approach along the crest of the ridge. Almost circular on plan (Fig. 54), the dun measures 11'9 m by 13'1 m within a wall up to 4'9 m thick. The outer face, which consists of large stones measuring 1·65 m by 0·6 m and 0'45 m in thickness, rises with a slight batter to a maximum height of over 2 m on the W. The inner face of the wall still stands to an average height of 2 m in about nine courses, but the base of the wall on both sides is now largely obscured by fallen debris. It is recorded (PSAS, xxv (1890-1), 118-27) that it stood to a height of about 6 m before it was used as a quarry for field walls. The entrance is on the NE side and measures 1'75 m externally, with large blocks forming the outer corners. The passage is checked for a door at a point 1'7 m from the outside, where it widens to 2'1 m. The inner portion of the passage, 2'4 m in length, has slightly curved sides which seem to be corbelled inwards at the top, but this may have been due to the settlement of the stones. Some excavation was undertaken in the interior in 1890 (Ibid), in the course of which several hearths were discovered, as well as the bones of horse and deer.
RCAHMS 1975, visited June 1969.
