Barr A' Chaistealain

NN12NE 2 1622 2702.

(NN 1622 2702) Homestead (NR)

OS 1:10,000 map, (1977)

The remains of a dun are situated among a cluster of ruined cottages on a flat topped ridge. Although it has been extensively damaged, the dun wall can still be traced for three-quarters of its circuit. Circular on plan, it originally enclosed an area measuring about 15.5 metres in diameter. Outer facing stones survive over a continuous stretch of 20 metres round the south half of the perimeter and for a much shorter distance on the north, standing at best to a height of 1.3 metres in two courses. Some very large blocks have been used, the largest measuring 1.3 by 0.8 by 0.75 metres. On the north, advantage has been taken of a rock outcrop which must originally have been incorporated into the structure of the wall. Only a few inner-facing stones are visible, situated on the SW and reaching a maximum height of 0.6 metres. They indicate that in this sector the wall was between 1.7 and 2.0 metres thick at the base. The exact position of the entrance is not known, but was probably situated in the NE where there are now no surface indications of the wall.

Christison (1889) and Watson (1915) classify the remains as being those of a fort.

D Christison 1889; W J Watson 1915; RCAHMS 1975, visited 1975.

A homestead (c/f: NN44SE 7), not a defensive structure consisting of the remains of a stone-walled enclosure measuring 19.5 metres N-S by 20.5 metres overall. The remains of the wall consist of several large outer-facing stones, three courses high on the south, and a single inner course, giving a wall width of 1.7 metres. The entrance probably existed on the robbed east quadrant and the interior has been mutilated.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (D W R) 19 March 1973.