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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 807090
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/807090
NR25SW 3 2217 5419
(NR 2218 5420) An Dun (NR)
OS 6" map (1900)
Dun [NR]
(remains of) [NAT]
OS 1:10,000 map, 1981.
(West shore of Loch Indall). An Dun, Octafad: a dun consisting of a rock girt by a well-built stone wall with an overall width of about 30ft [9.2m]. It rises sheer from the water's edge for a height of 40ft [12.2m]. Coves in rock clefts on either side: behind, the ground rises steeply to 200ft [61m].
This dun is one of those 'admirably suited to be pirates' strongholds, with coves hidden in chasms of the rock where coracles might shelter.' It is also noteworthy for being one of those that are 'overlooked by high ground immediately in their rear.'
[No outworks noted].
V G Childe 1935, no. 24.
The dun appears to be galleried. An oval enclosure 35ft by 45ft within a 4ft to 6ft stone wall closely adapted on the north and west to the cliff edge, lies between the dun and geodh to the north. It may be a guard-house for the dun.
F Newall 1966
A much wasted dun surviving as a grass-covered amorphous enclosure 11.0m in diameter and 0.5m high. Although there is neither an inner or outer face visible the walling appear to have been about 3.0m wide. Below the dun on the east are the remains of a revetment wall. There is a possible entrance gap in the north-east but no evidence to suggest that the dun was galleried.
Two level areas immediately to the north may have been outworks but there is no walling to be seen. A small level area adjoining the north-east side of the dun bears no evidence of walling but it may once have been on outwork to the dun. This level area agrees approximately in its dimensions to those given by Newall and also lies 'between the dun and the geodh (inlet) to the north'. The only approach to the dun is by way of a narrow natural causeway across a deep gully on the north-west side.
Surveyed at 1:10 000.
Visited by OS (BS), 6 May 1978.
