Scheduled Monument

Dun Mara,dunSM5352

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
17/02/1992
Supplementary Information Updated
23/01/2024
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: dun
Local Authority
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Planning Authority
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Parish
Barvas
NGR
NB 49481 63140
Coordinates
149481, 963140

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a fortified promontory of Iron Age date known as Dun Mara.

The main structure is oval on plan with a well defined outer face measuring externally c.28m NW-SE by c.23m transversely. In the centre of the dun are the sub-rectangular footings of two buildings, the NE one divided into two cells. There is an outer defence consisting of a ditch and turf-built wall separating the promontory from the surrounding area.

The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures a maximum of 100m NW-SE by 70m E-W to be centred on the dun and including an area of surrounding land which may contain evidence of activity associated with its construction and use. This area is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a good example of a late prehistoric defensive site. It preserves evidence of, and has the potential to provide evidence through excavation for, settlement, construction practices, material culture and land-use of its former inhabitants.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NB 46 SE 5.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 11/08/2025 16:52