Publication Account
Date 2007
Event ID 587161
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/587161
NG56 2 DUN RAISABURGH
NG/5032 6427
This probable broch in Kilmuir, Skye, stands on a narrow rocky ridge about 30m wide and 400m south-west of Loch Mealt (and Dun Grianan, above: NG56 1) and which rises 10.7 - 15.3m (35 - 50 ft) above the moor. The scanty remains of the structure are near the south of the end of this ridge but not on the highest point. The east side is broken down but there may be 1.53m (5 ft) of masonry standing on the north side, the lowest 60 - 90cm (2 - 3 ft) of which are buried below debris. A length of wall gallery is visible for 6.7m (22 ft) on the north-east arc and its outer wall is 90cm (3 ft) high in places [4, plan].
The entrance passage may be on the south-east where two parallel faces can be seen within the wall. The inner face of the broch wall is visible only in the south (at about 7 o'clock) for a short distance with traces of an irregular oval cell behind this [4, plan]. A lintelled doorway gives access from the interior to this cell which seems to have been exposed fairly recently. Itmay also be a guard cell for the broch entrance passage [4].
An outer wall 1.83m (6 ft) thick, and now reduced to foundation level, can be seen 9.9m (32.5 ft) south of the main building. It runs across the ridge and seems to return north on the east edge towards the broch. There are faint signs of another outer wall 7.6m (25 ft) north of the broch. More details of these features are given by Swanson [4].
Dimensions: external diameter from north to south 16.24m (53 ft 3 in) [2], or 17m [4]. The wall is about 3.2-3.4m thick on the south [4].
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. NG 56 SW 1: 2. RCAHMS 1928, 169, no. 540: 3. MacSween 1984-85, 44, no. 20 and fig. 20: 4. Swanson (ms) 1985, 822-24 and plan.
E W MacKie 2007
