32962: LOCH BARAVAT, CROWLISTA, LEWIS – DUN? (Undated)

Summary:

DUN? (Undated)
Possible site of island dun

Location:

NB 0386 3487

Full description:

NB03SW 4 0386 3487.

A ring of tumbled stones, apparently (when viewed from the shore), the remains of a dun, round the margin of a small island about 250 yards W of NB03SW 3 and within 50 yards of the S side of Loch Baravat. There appear to be the remains of a causeway between the islet and the shore. RCAHMS 1928, visited 20 June 1914.

A small island, partly artificial, utilizing outcrop rock, upon which are the tumbled remains of a substantial sub-circular stone wall, approximately 10m overall diameter. There are traces of a very rough outer wall face on the N and W sides, unlike the more solidly built walling of a dun, suggesting a more recent date. The structure has been robbed to build a boat noust on the E side and two modern cairns on its W side. There is no trace of a causeway.
Visited by OS 8 July 1969.

This site may be later prehistoric in origin, although some of the constructional features may indicate a more modern period of usage. Several sherds of pottery of medieval ‘craggan’ type were recovered from the loch bed silts.
T N Dixon and P G Topping 1986.

References:

RCAHMCS. 1928. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Ninth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, Publisher: HMSO The RCAHMS 9th Report and Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles. 22, No. 75
1986. ‘Preliminary survey of later prehistoric artificial islands on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides’, Int J Nautical Archaeol Underwater Explor. Part No 15. 191-2

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.