Colonsay, Beinn Nan Gudairean
Dun (Later Prehistoric)
Site Name Colonsay, Beinn Nan Gudairean
Classification Dun (Later Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 37925
Site Number NR39SE 49
NGR NR 38811 94980
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/37925
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Colonsay And Oronsay
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
Field Visit (June 1977)
NR39SE 49 3880 9498.
The slight remains of a dun can be seen on the summit of Beinn nan Gudairean (136m OD), the second highest hill on Colonsay, 1km N of Scalasaig. The actual summit consists of a rocky knoll rising up to 9m above the surrounding ground; round the top of it a light spread of rubble core material, accompanied by one short stretch of outer facing stones, is all that survives to indicate the course of the dun wall, which probably enclosed a roughly circular area about 14m in diameter.
A large amount of fallen debris, however, lying at the foot of the knoll on the W side shows that the wall has been a substantial structure.
The knoll now carries the rectangular platform on which a building has stood until comparatively recent times, together with an OS triangulation station and an observation pillar erected in 1938.
RCAHMS 1984, visited June 1977
Measured Survey (1977)
RCAHMS surveyed the dun at Beinn nan Guidairean in 1977 at 1:400. The plan was redrawn in ink and published at a reduced scale (RCAHMS 1984, fig. 105C).
