Dùn Morbhaidh

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Coordinates: 56°40′46.21″N 6°31′1.02″W / 56.6795028°N 6.5169500°W / 56.6795028; -6.5169500
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Dùn Morbhaidh, about 1900.

Dùn Morbhaidh, also known as Dun Borbaidh, is a

antiquary Erskine Beveridge considered it as one of the four most interesting fortifications on Coll (along with Dùn an Achaidh, Dùn Anlaimh, and Dùn Dubh).[1] The site is located at grid reference NM23456331
.

Etymology

The early 20th century antiquary

Norse language borg.[1]

Location

hill forts, and crannogs, on Coll
.

Dùn Morbhaidh is located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Gallanach, on Coll.[1] The site is located at grid reference NM 2345 6331.[2]

Description

Dùn Morbhaidh sits atop a craggy hill, close to the shore. The highest part of the site is located on the west-side and the summit; and measures about 30 by 15 metres (98 ft × 49 ft). This part is guarded on the western side by a wall, which only traces of survive. Two short lengths of the outer face of this wall are visible, and stand at a maximum height of 0.7 metres (2.3 ft), in three courses.[2]

The eastern half of the hill is made up of a series of slopes, terraces, and outcrops. There is visible evidence of the remains of two more walls. The medial wall is, for the most part, placed around a terrace; though it also appears in a narrow gap on the northern part of the same terrace. The outer wall is located around the foot of the hill and faces level ground. Only traces of this wall are visible: on one side of the entrance, and an outer stretch of facing stones are also visible.[2]

Archaeological finds

Beveridge found the remains of

Western Isles.[3]

Dùn Morbhaidh is located in Scotland
Dùn Morbhaidh
class=notpageimage|
Location of Coll.[2]

The site was visited, in 1972, by the Ordnance Survey, which noted that the site was "probably a dun with outworks". No trace of any midden was found on the site. In 1995, M. W. Holley found some potsherd on the site, located at grid reference NM 2345 6331.[2]

Tradition

Beveridge stated that there was no tradition associated with the fort itself, though he noted that one concerned a cave beneath it. This cave was to have extended from its entrance, on the rocky shore, to far inland. According to Beveridge, the cave was said to have been the scene of a massacre of many natives of the area.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Beveridge, Erskine (1903). Coll and Tiree. Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable. pp. 14–15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Coll, Dun Morbhaidh". CANMORE. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  3. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 122: 24. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 6 March 2009.

56°40′46.21″N 6°31′1.02″W / 56.6795028°N 6.5169500°W / 56.6795028; -6.5169500

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