Monument record 1016 - DUN BAN, LOCH HORNARY, GRIMSAY

Summary

Dun with submerged causeway

Location

Grid reference NF 86970 56930 (point)
Map sheet NF85NE
Island Grimsay
Parish NORTH UIST, Western Isles

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

NF85NE 7 8697 5693.

(NF 8697 5693) Dun Ban (NR)
OS 6"map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1904)

Dun Ban stands on a rocky islet at the east end of Loch Horneray, Grimsay, and was excavated by Thomas (F W L Thomas 1890), who found that it consisted of four beehive cells within the wall of a circular tower The wall is 10 to 14ft thick except for about 9ft which is only about 2ft thick. The entrance, opposite the curved causeway, led to a curved recess, apparently a guard cell. Thomas estimated that the wall was originally 15ft high, with a parapet above. Signs of fire were noted in two places and broken craggans were recovered, but no datable relics were found.
The dun was overlooked by a little eminence, 50 or 60ft high, on the lake shore 35 yards away.
F W L Thomas 1890.

Dun Ban is generally as described and planned above, but it is now obscured by dense undergrowth. The walls survive to a maximum height of 2.0m internally. The submerged causeway is still visible.
Surveyed at 1/10,560.
Visited by OS (N K B) 30 May 1965.


Thomas, F. W. L., 1890, Archaeol Scot, 399-402 (Bibliographic reference). SWE7756.

Erskine Beveridge, 1911, North Uist: its archaeology and topography, 172-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWE12876.

RCAHMS, 1928, The RCAHMCS 9th Report & Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, 94, No. 299 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5587.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • --- Bibliographic reference: Erskine Beveridge. 1911. North Uist: its archaeology and topography. 172-4.
  • --- Bibliographic reference: RCAHMS. 1928. The RCAHMCS 9th Report & Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles. 94, No. 299.
  • --- Bibliographic reference: Thomas, F. W. L.. 1890. Archaeol Scot. 5. 365-415. 399-402.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

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Record last edited

Jul 28 2005 2:24PM

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