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MHG12020 - Promontory Fort - Daill, Kyle of Durness

Summary

This site occupies two promontories of the headland at Daill.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

NC 362 682. Drystone enclosure, possibly remains of a promontory fort. Info contained in letter from T C Welsh 10 August 1972.

Sites occupy two promontories of the headland. On a level grassy area, 8m by 23m, of the seaward promontory is a rectangular turf enclosure, 7m by 12m, with an entrance on the S. On the other promontory is a circular rubble enclosure 6m in internal diameter.
T C Welsh 1972.

There is no ground indication of either promontory having been defended. The two structures are generally as described by Welsh (T C Welsh 1972). The first occupies the majority of the smaller SE promontory, which is approached across a narrow neck, 1.5m minimum width. The footing is bi-compartmented and the turf walls are 0.6m wide and 0.3m high. There is no evidence of stone in the wall. Excavation down to floor level by persons unknown has occurred in the N corner. Nothing significant is revealed.
Whether this feature was roofed is unknown.
The second structure is ill-defined and sub-square on plan. The wall is marked by a few large rubble blocks protruding up to 0.5m through the turf. Visited by OS (J B) 1 May 1980.

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

This site occupies two promontories of the headland at Daill and is largely as described in the NMRS after a visit by OS in 1980 (JB) following initial identification by T C Welsh (1972). The bicompartmental structure on the SE spur of the headland measures 11.5 m by 7 m externally. The north compartment is 3.2 at by 5.2 m internally and the south compartment is 6.5 m by 5.2 m, again internally. In addition to earlier descriptions there is a very faint rectangular delineation running from the north wall of this structure toward the seaward end of the promontory. This measures 4.4 m NE-SW by 3.2 m. The narrow landbridge to this part of the site is becoming undermined at the east. The second structure is situated on the NW spur of this headland and is a sub-rectangular, boulder enclosure approximately 6 m by 6 m. This structure is poorly defined by single boulders protruding at least 0.3 m from the turf. Erosion, probably from sheep burrowing, has revealed part of the wall to be two boulders high and standing to 0.6 m high. A boulder in the centre of this structure has been used to tether a very long and thick rope hawser which stretches across the SE promontory and clown into the sea. Rubble lies to the NE and SW, but some at least is natural. The area has suffered some damage by both rabbit and sheep grazing and burrowing. The large rope tethered to part of this site serves no obvious purpose and should be removed as it is only likely to cause damage to the site. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2023 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3624 6825 (77m by 69m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)