Scheduled Monument

Dun an Rudha Buidhe,dun,IslaySM5658

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
12/03/1993
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: dun
Local Authority
Argyll And Bute
Parish
Kildalton
NGR
NR 46602 54090
Coordinates
146602, 654090

Description

The monument comprises a later prehistoric dun which occupies Rudha Buidhe, the low rocky outcrop that forms the N end of Claggain Bay 450m S of Ardtalla. Although the position is not naturally defensive, the dun's defences are comparable to those of the nearby promontory forts at Dun Trudernish and Dun nan Gall, in that it has three walls, of which the innermost contains evidence of vitrifaction.

The innermost wall is disturbed and appears as a heavy band of rubble; the entrance faces NW and part of the SW side of the passage is visible. The middle wall probably measures about 2.4m in thickness and surives to a height of 0.9m. The outer wall has been reduced to a series of intermittent boulders. The extensive beach to the NE offers a landing-place.

The area to be scheduled measures 65m E-W by 65m transversely to include the dun and an area around in which evidence associated with the construction and use of the fort may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it represents the well-preserved remains of a later prehistoric domestic site which has the potential to provide information about prehistoric social practice and structure. Its apparent association with two nearby vitrified forts suggests that this group of monuments is particularly unusual and has the potential to provide comparative evidence for contemporary activity.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NR 45 SE 6.

Reference:

RCAHMS 1984, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Argyll: an inventory of the monuments volume 5: Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay, Edinburgh, No. 204.

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.

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Printed: 21/10/2025 20:29