Archaeology Notes

Event ID 659246

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/659246

NG56NW 1 5055 6529.

NG 5055 6529 Dun Greanan (NR) Dun Grianan (NR)

OS 6"map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1904) and OS 1"map, (1947)

Dun Greanan occupies the extremity of a low promontory on the N shore of Loch Mealt. Apparently it has been a broch but the greater part has been removed and what remains is used as a sheep fank. The outline of the structure is traceable for the greater part of its circumference. On the NW and NE quadrants about 3' of building remains in position, although towards the NE it is hidden under fallen debris. On the S half it is reduced to the foundation course and for a short distance this has been carried away. Although the inner face of the wall stands some 4' in height, most of this has been rebuilt in recent times. The internal diameter of the broch, which seems form almost a true circle, is 35' 3", and the wall is 10' thick on the W and 11' on the N. A gallery within the wall, about 2'2" width, is traceable the whole length of the NW sector, and in places along the S arc there seem to be traces of the inner wall of the gallery.

On the E side of the dun looking out into the loch there are very faint indications of the S side of an entrance passage.

Included in a list of Brochs (Graham 1949).

RCAHMS 1928; A Graham 1949.

Dun Greanan, a broch, as described above. An entrance to the gallery is visible on the N sector, 0.4m wide, the lintel stone 0.2m above the present interior ground level.

Of the entrance in the E sector, the footings of its south side are visible across the thickness of the wall, with traces of the North side.

Visited by OS (A S P) 25 April 1961.