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Barr A' Chaistealain
Dun (Later Prehistoric)
Site Name Barr A' Chaistealain
Classification Dun (Later Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 23650
Site Number NN12NE 2
NGR NN 16215 27022
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/23650
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Glenorchy And Inishail (Argyll And Bute)
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
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.
Field Visit (May 1970)
NN 162 270. The remains of a dun (Fig. 52, plan) are situated at a height of 95 m OD among a cluster of ruined cottages on a flat-topped ridge 230 m SE of Dalmally Station. 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 min diameter. Outer facing stones survive over a continuous stretch of 20 m round the S half of the perimeter and for a much shorter distance on the N, standing at best to a height of 1'3 min two courses; some very large blocks have been used, the largest measuring 1'3 m by 0·8 m by 0'75 m. On the N 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 standing to a maximum height of 0·6 m. They indicate, however, that in this sector the wall was between 1'7 m and 2 m thick at the base. The exact position of the entrance is not known, but it was evidently situated at some point on the NE where, apart from seven dislodged boulders, there are now no surface indications of the wall.
RCAHMS 1975, visited May 1970.
Measured Survey (28 May 1970)
Surveyed with alidade and plane-table at 1mm:1ft. Redrawn in ink and published at the reduced scale of 1:1000 (RCAHMS 1975, fig. 52).
Watching Brief (9 October 2015)
ANN 16277 27001 and NN 16206 26964 Watching briefs were kept on 9 October 2015 during excavations for the replacement of two poles for an overhead power line a short distance S of Dalmally. One of the poles sits within the remains of the late medieval and post-medieval settlement of Barr a’ Chaistealain, a scheduled ancient monument; the other is located a short distance to the SW. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded in either trench.
Archive and report: National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE)
Funder: SSE
John Lewis - Scotia Archaeology
(Source: DES, Volume 16)
