Eilean Math-ghamhna
Dun (Prehistoric)
Site Name Eilean Math-ghamhna
Classification Dun (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 40558
Site Number NS09NW 4
NGR NS 0348 9863
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/40558
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Strathlachlan
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NS09NW 4 0348 9863
See also NS09NW 13.
(NS 0348 9863) A wall about 3' high and 10' broad, enclosing an area 70' x 60', runs round the S, W, and N of the flat top of a tidal island, which may be joined to the shore by a causeway. Another similar wall stretches across the approach from the shore.
I Christian 1965
The wall is situated on the highest point of the small tidal islet Eilean Math-ghamhna, and probably represents the severely mutilated remains of a dun. The enclosed area is 22.0m N-S x 14.0m within a tumbled stone wall, which, where best preserved on the W, is 3.3m wide with a coursed outer face c.1.2m high. Elsewhere the wall is visible as turf-covered rubble apart from on the NE where it has been completely removed (probably to build a nearby shieling). The 'wall' across the approach to the shore is a natural rock outcrop. There is no causeway.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (RD) 29 April 1970
Field Visit (May 1986)
This dun is situated on a small tidal islet at the W end of Newton Bay and 800m WNW of Newton (Christian 1965). Access across a natural causeway from the SW end has been restricted by a now ruinous cross-wall, drawn along the outer margin of a low terrace. Oval on plan, the dun measures 22m by 15m internally, but it too has been heavily robbed and is represented merely by a low band of rubble 4m thick. A short stretch of outer facing-stones remains on the NW, standing to a height of 1.1m in three courses and incorporating one very massive block.
The rectangular setting of boulders situated in a hollow a little to the NE of the dun is of recent origin.
(The cup-markings on a rock surface 4m to the E of the dun are described under NS09NW 13).
RCAHMS 1988, visited May 1986.
