Torr a'Chaisteal
55°27′32″N 5°17′19″W / 55.45897°N 5.288585°W
 Torr a'Chaisteal | |
  Shown within the Isle of Arran, Scotland | |
| Location | Isle of Arran |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°27′32″N 5°17′19″W / 55.45897°N 5.288585°W |
| Type | Dun |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Historic Scotland |
| Public access | Yes |
Torr a'Chaisteal (or Torr a'Chaisteil) is an Iron Age fort (dun), located about 1 mile (2 kilometres) northeast of the village of Sliddery, on the Isle of Arran in Scotland (grid reference NR92172326).
Description[edit]
Torr a'Chaisteal is situated on an isolated grassy knoll on the west coast of Arran.[1]
It was a fortified residence, or dun, of a type common across western Scotland in the later Iron Age.[1] A similar structure can be seen at Kilpatrick Dun 2+1⁄2 mi (4 km) to the north.[2] The turf-covered walls are 0.5 metres high and have an average width of 4 metres.[3] The walls are formed of large sandstone boulders, enclosing an area with a diameter of around 7 metres.[1] A short stretch of wall lies beside the dun to the east, while on the landward approach is a substantial earthwork that may have formed an outer defence.[1]
Antiquarian excavations in the 19th century uncovered human and animal bones, shells, the top stone of a quern, and pieces of haematite iron.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Torr A'chaisteal Fort, Historic Scotland, accessed 2 May 2014
- ^ Kilpatrick Dun (or Cashel), Historic Scotland, accessed 2 May 2014
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Arran, Torr A' Chaisteil (39674)". Canmore. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
External links[edit]
Media related to Torr a'Chaisteal Fort at Wikimedia Commons