South Uist, Askernish, Loch An Eilein
Causeway (Prehistoric), Dun (Prehistoric)
Site Name South Uist, Askernish, Loch An Eilein
Classification Causeway (Prehistoric), Dun (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Aisgeirnis
Canmore ID 9868
Site Number NF72SW 9
NGR NF 7451 2372
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/9868
- Council Western Isles
- Parish South Uist
- Former Region Western Isles Islands Area
- Former District Western Isles
- Former County Inverness-shire
NF72SW 9 7451 2372.
(NF 7451 2372) The remains of a dun occupy the south-western half of the more southerly of two small islands lying in Loch an Eilein, about 700 yards east of Askernish House, South Uist. It is about 70 yards from the western shore. The tumbled mass of stone rises about 6ft above the loch level. The landward end of a submerged causeway can be traced under water from a peninsula to the NW of the island. The course is slightly tortuous, apparently to utilise several rocks which appear above water near the landward end.
RCAHMS 1928.
The remains of this dun are as described above. No trace of the causeway can now be seen.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (R D) 11 May 1965.
Field Visit (21 June 1915)
Dun, Loch an Eilein, Askernish.
About 700 yards east of Askernish House is a small loch, known as Loch an Eilein, in which are two small islands. On the most southerly of these, lying about 70 yards from the western shore, are the ruins of a dun occupying the south-western half of the islet. Viewed from the shore it appears as a tumbled mass of stone rising at most about 6 feet above the level of the loch, the summit crowned by a vigorous growth of vegetation. The landward end of a submerged causeway can be traced under water for some distance from a peninsula on the western shore of the loch lying to the north-west of the island. As this access to the dun does not connect with the nearest point of land, its position may have been determined by there being less depth by the slightly longer route. The course of the causeway is slightly tortuous, apparently to utilise several rocks which appear above water near its landward end.
RCAHMS 1928, visited 21 June 1915.
OS map: South Uist lv (unnoted).
Note (2003)
NF 7451 2374 Loch an Eilean, Askernish. A natural island, heavily modified to the S and W, coming up sharply from the water level for 2-3m; possibly a 'high cairn crannog' if the loch level had been higher. A stretch of stones extends from the island to the NW. It is visible for about 1m, and may be the remains of a boat noost. This may be the causeway recorded by the RCAHMS (1928) but the stones do not extend any further.
Sponsors: Universities of Glasgow and Sheffield, King Alfred's College.
J A Raven and M Shelley 2003
