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MHG9483 - Dun - 930m SSE of Cape Wrath Hotel

Summary

The remains of a defensive structure, probably a dun.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Amended schedule 5.6.2003 see secondary file - HAW 6/2003

(NC 3845 6539) Dun (NR) OS 6"map, (1962)

The remains of a defensive structure, probably a dun, with outworks, on a small coastal spur. It survives as a heavily quarried mound approximately 21.5m in diameter on to which modern field clearance has been piled. Neither facing stones nor entrance are evident. It may be a broch from which all the building stone has been removed, but its present condition and the quantity of small stone visible where it is best preserved in the W suggest that it is a dun. Curving round the W arc and cutting across the spur is a ditch, about 5.0m in average width and 0.7m deep, whilst in the S along the top of the natural slope are traces of a wall. This has probably been the continuation of an outwork protecting the easy approach from the E, which has been largely destroyed by a road.
Surveyed at 1:2500 (OS {W D J} 8 April 1960.
Visited by OS (A A) 20 July 1971.

No change to the previous field report. It has the appearance of a defended homestead rather than a dun or broch (cf NC36NE 5 and NC75NW 14). Visited by OS (J B) 14 November 1978.

NW SUT Local Plan, May 1987: P23/2.36.
J Aitken : 11/06/01.

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.

Generally as described in the NMRS after field visits by OS in 1960 (WDJ), 1971 (AA), and 1978 (JB). The structural element on top of the mound has a diameter of 10 m internally and is defined by a thick bank on the west side with walling discernible on the top. The ditch at the base of the bank cuts the structure off from the rest of the promontory. Quarrying is evident on the north side. There is a faint bank and ditch on the north side which has been disturbed by the gravel-metalled track which runs past at this point. The area of field clearance on top of the mound, as noted in the NMRS, may actually have several structural elements showing through in the form of walling. There is also a small, scooped feature on the promontory west of the ditch which measures 3.5 m by 2.5 m and possibly has stone revetted sides. On the west of the promontory, just west of the bank and ditch, the ground drops to a lower level and on this surface is the possible remains of a bank defining a scooped feature. This may mark the spot of NMRS number NC 36 NE 70 but as only a six figure grid reference is supplied there this is difficult to check. There has been quite a lot of damage to this site in the past caused by field clearance and quarrying. Perhaps of more immediate concern is the evidence of rabbit-burrowing in and around the mound. <1>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3844 6540 (80m by 57m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (2)