Monument record 231 - DUN LOCH AN DUNA, BRAGAR, LEWIS

NB24NE 2 2854 4740.

(NB 2854 4740) Dun Loch an Duna (NR)
OS 6"map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1898)

Dun Bhragaiur, Loch an Duna (F W L Thomas 1890) or Dun Loch an Duna is a broch (RCAHMS 1928), with an external diameter of 55ft and walls 12ft thick, standing to a height of 14ft on the S side (the wall showing a marked batter).
This is alleged to be the place where John Roy Macphail (or John Mackay) was caught in bed in the 16/17th century.
F W L Thomas 1890; RCAHMS 1928.

A broch, about 16.5m in diameter over walls about 3.5m thick, standing to about 3.0m maximum height, generally as described and planned.
The tumbled remains of a wall can be seen across the neck of the promontory on which the broch stands, but it is uncertain whether this is contemporary.
The broch is known locally simply as 'the dun'.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (R L) 19 June 1969.

A fragment of vitrified material was recovered from the outer wall of the broch in its northern arc. The area of burning is not extensive. A small piece of the vitrified mass has been deposited at the Callanish Archaeological Research Centre'.
I B M Ralston and P G Topping 1986.

To ... the owners of the Monument known as Dun (or broch) situated on a promntory projecting southward into Loch an Duna, 80 yards sout of the public road from Barvas to Callanish at its nearest point to the south of South Bragor, Lewis, and 680 yards west of the westmost part of Loch Grinavat
being the subjects indicated in red colour on the annexed plan and being part of the property known as South Bragor Crofting Township ...
the Commissioners ... give you notice that it is their intention to include the Monument above specified in a list of monuments...
Schedule, 16.2.34

site 19: Marked on the 1st edition OS (1854, Island of Leiws, Ross-shire, sheet 8) as a circular structure, sitting on a man-made promontory. … On the W shore of the islet are the remains of a possible causeway leading SW towards the possible crannog lying submerged about 60m away. A similar relationship of submerged and visible remains in the same loch is recorded at Loch an Duin Shader (NB35SE 4 & 6).
The aerial photographs (540/A/430 3.03.1950) clearly show the circular outline of the broch, but by the time of the 1967 Aps, the definition has somewhat been lost, indicating further collapse of the upstanding walls
Shaw 2007, 1-20

Thomas, F. W. L., 1890, Archaeol Scot, 374-5 pl. xlvii (Bibliographic reference). SWE7756.

RCAHMS, 1928, The RCAHMCS 9th Report & Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, 5, No. 10 plan fig. 26, illust. fig. 33 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5587.

I B M and P G Ralston and Topp, 1986, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 50 (Bibliographic reference). SWE14547.

Claire Shaw, Jacobs, 2007, Scottish Water: Bragar Mains Water Replacement, DBA and walkover survey (Unpublished document). SWE41154.