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North Uist, Groatay, Dun Mhic Laitheann
Building(S) (Medieval), Dun (Later Prehistoric), Shieling Hut(S) (Post Medieval)
Site Name North Uist, Groatay, Dun Mhic Laitheann
Classification Building(S) (Medieval), Dun (Later Prehistoric), Shieling Hut(S) (Post Medieval)
Canmore ID 10439
Site Number NF97SE 1
NGR NF 97788 73187
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/10439
- Council Western Isles
- Parish North Uist
- Former Region Western Isles Islands Area
- Former District Western Isles
- Former County Inverness-shire
NF97SE 1 97788 73187.
(NF 9777 7314) Dun Mhic Laitheann (NAT) Site of Dun (NR)
OS 6"map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1911)
Dun Mhic Laitheann, connected with Groatay at low water, stood on a steep-sided rock with a wall round its edge, 9-10 1/2ft thick x 3 1/2ft high, and traces of an entrance to the W. In the NE corner and impinging on the outer wall is an oblong enclosure 50ft long x 10-12ft wide. At the highest point to the E are the remains of a building measuring internally 23 x 15ft with walls 6ft thick. A possible mid-17th century re-occupation is suggested.
E Beveridge 1911; RCAHMS 1928.
Dun Mhic Laitheann is generally as described above. Although the wall is conspicuous on the NW half of the rock, it may never have continued around the remaining and naturally defensive portion. In addition to the internal structures noted above, there are the stony outlines of three shieling-like features.
Visited by OS (E G C) 4 July 1965.
Note (1928)
Dun Mhic Laitheann.
This construction [NF97SE 1] occupies a position of natural strength on a precipitous rock adjacent to the island of Groatay, with which it is connected at low water. The rock measures approximately 50 yards east and west by 30 yards north and south, and it has evidently had the additional protection of a wall, varying from 9 to lot feet in thickness, around its edge. At the north-east corner and impinging on the outer wall are the remains of an oblong enclosure of peculiar type, 50 feet in length, and from 10 to 12 feet in width, its west end now entirely open, although at one time probably built up except for a doorway. At the highest point on the east are the remains of a strong rectangular building with walls 6 feet thick and an internal area of about 23 by 15 feet, and at the lowest part in the centre is a small walled enclosure which it has been suggested may have been a water reservoir. Cf. Beveridge's North Uist pp. 144-6.
[NF97SE 10] Of the neighbouring larger island of Hermetray, Martin, in his Description of the Western Islands (p. 51), writes as follows: "I saw here the foundation of a house built by the English in King Charles the First's time, for one of their magazines to lay up the cask, salt, etc., for carrying on the fishery, which was then begun in the Western Islands; but this design miscarried because of the civil wars which then broke out."
RCAHMS 1928
OS map: North Uist xxxii (Site).
Note (9 January 2015 - 30 May 2016)
This small fortification occupies a precipitous rock outcrop that forms a tidal island off the SW shore of Groatay, which itself lies immediately of the NE coast of North Uist. The defences comprise a single thick wall about 4m thick, which in places still stands 1m high. The wall peters out along the NE and SW flanks of the stack and there is no trace of it on the SE. The interior measures about 50m from NW to SE by 25m transversely (0.13ha) and appears to have been re-occupied in the Medieval or post-medieval period, with the construction of a substantial rectangular building at its SE end and three other oval structures elsewhere; the 1st edition OS 6-inch map shows three roofless rectangular structures within the interior (Inverness-shire, Hebrides, 1881, sheet 32). Erskine Beveridge noted a possible entrance at the NW end.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 30 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2673
