Monument record 1376 - DUN BORVE, HARRIS

NG09SW 5 0325 9400.

(NG 0325 9400) Dun (NR)
OS 6"map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1903)

Dun Borve, Borvemore, sometimes locally known as Dun Bhuirigh: a circular building of stone with an overall diameter of some 46ft. The wall of the main building is 13-14ft thick and the courtyard 20ft in diameter. The entrance in the E leads to an outer court 35ft long.
R W Feachem 1963; RCAHMS 1928.

The remains of Dun Borve, a sub-circular dun, are situated on a rocky knoll.
The footings of the wall face are visible for most of the circumference indicating an overall diameter of about 14.1m; the inner face is discernible only on the W, giving a wall thickness of 3.1m. Traces of faces within the wall on the W and NW sides suggest a mural cell or gallery or stabilising wall. The entrance was in the E, but little trace remains. On the W side of the dun, there is a retaining wall 1.7m high, an original feature. On the E side, the remains of an outwork defending the entrance can be seen. Within is a late shieling built against the dun wall.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (N K B) 3 July 1969.

RCAHMS, 1928, The RCAHMCS 9th Report & Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, 40, No. 125 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5587.

R W Feachem, 1963b, A Guide to Prehistoric Scotland, 181 (Bibliographic reference). SWE2141.