Archaeology Notes

Event ID 697692

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/697692

NR89SW 9 8072 9084.

(Centred NR 8075 9088) (dun visible on RAF air photographs CPE.Scot.UK 249: 3283-4 [flown 1947]). A probable dun, 56' x 49', lies on the crest of a rocky, wooded ridge N of Dunans farm. The wall on the NW is 8' thick and may have a gallery, and there may be an entrance on the SE.

A massive outer work, using outcrops, lies 61' SW along the ridge and has a gate 8' wide near the centre, while there is a possible further outwork 19' to the SW.

The site commands extensive views.

M Campbell and M Sandeman 1964.

There are no certain remains of a dun to be seen in the area indicated. Miss Campbell (1964) appears to be referring to a somewhat vague arrangement of natural rock and boulders at NR 8072 9084.

Visited by OS (JP) 20 May 1970.

NR 800 880 A programme of fieldwork in January and February 2005 followed a desk-based assessment of sites and monuments within North Knapdale Forest, listed in the Forestry Commission heritage database. The survey concentrated on sites that had prehistoric potential or sites about which little was known. In total, 55 sites were visited and briefly recorded. Prehistoric sites of note include a prominent cup-marked boulder, and a probable burial cairn with possible associated cist. Four small defended structures or duns were identified during the survey. Two of these had previously been recorded as duns or forts, but had subsequently been dismissed as natural features, while the other two structures appear to be previously unknown. Of the sites belonging to the later historical period, a possible mill site was discovered, although the majority of the sites appear to relate to later agricultural settlement.

Prehistoric sites - Duns

Structures at Branagad (NR 79866 86794) and Balure (NR 7 8270 85750) have only recently come to light during forestry operations. The structures at Dunans (NR89SW 9) and Dun Buidhe (NR88NN 1) need to be reinstated as probable defended structures, as their nature had been questioned in more recent times; at both sites the remnants of walls were partially revealed during the survey.

Reports to be lodged with WoSAS SMR and NMRS.

Sponsor: Forestry Commission.

R Regan 2005