Dunearn

{{Short description|Hill fort in Highland, Scotland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox ancient site

| name = Dunearn

| image = File:Colindoune - geograph.org.uk - 540928.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Dunearn from the south west in winter

| map =

| map_type = Scotland Nairn

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| map_size =

|relief =1

| coordinates = {{coord|57.4505|-3.7836|display=inline,title}}

| map_dot_label = Dunearn

| location =

| region =

| type = Hill fort

| length = {{convert|245|m}}

| width = {{convert|45|m}}

| area =

| volume =

| diameter =

| circumference =

| height = {{convert|266|m}} AOD

| builder =

| material = Stone, earth

| built =

| abandoned =

| epochs = Iron Age, Pictish

}}

Dunearn is a hill fort located {{convert|15|km|mi}} south south east of Nairn in Highland, Scotland. It is situated on a steep-sided hill called Doune rising to approximately {{convert|266|m}} above ordnance datum just south of Dulsie Bridge (which provides a modern crossing of the River Findhorn) in the parish of Ardclach.[https://canmore.org.uk/site/15497/dunearn "Dunearn"]. Canmore. Retrieved 27 May 2018.{{Ordnance Survey|access-date=28 May 2018}}

The site commands uninterrupted views in all directions of the valley of the Findhorn including towards the pass of Streens in the west, which leads to upper Strath Dearn.[https://ancientmonuments.uk/124591-dunearn-fort-510m-south-of-nairn-and-cawdor-ward#.WwwA2akh1Yc “Dunearn“] Ancient Monuments, quoting Historic Scotland. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

Etymology

The modern name, which is shared by a nearby farm is from the Scottish Gaelic, Dùn Éireann meaning "Hill(fort) on the Findhorn".Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 43 Although Gaelic in origin the derivation of the name of the River Findhorn itself is not absolutely clear. Watson (1926) states that it is derived from Fionn Èire, meaning "white Ireland" which "doubtless refers to the white sands of the estuary". The dative Èireann gave rise to the use of the anglified 'earn' or 'erne' in other local names such as Invererne, Cullerne and Earnhill.Watson (1926) pp. 229-230

Structure

The slopes up to the fort are steep from all directions save the west. The summit is S-shaped and was surrounded by two parallel walls which closely followed the contour that delineates the summit plateau.RCAHMS Emergency Survey (1943) p. 185 The visual evidence of the inner rampart is simply scattered stones and boulders along with some evidence of vitrification,Canmore, quoting Feachem. suggesting that the fort may have been burned at some point in its history. The outer wall lies about {{convert|20|ft|m}} beyond the inner and is a "mere crest-line, dotted rather sparsely with stones and boulders". The proximity of the two walls to one another suggests it was designed as a single structure with stabilising timbers in the centre. The entrance lies to the south west and the enclosed area is roughly {{convert|.75|ha|acre}} in extent.[https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1323333 "Plane table survey: Dunearn Fort."] Canmore. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

File:Remains of Dunearn Fort to the left with Dulsie Farm buildings centre right. - geograph.org.uk - 253600.jpg

Local comparisons

Dunearn is one of a group of larger, more open, structures such as Craig Phadrig, which is thought to have been constructed in the 4th Century CE{{efn|Craig Phadrig, which is much smaller than Dunearn, is popularly believed to have been the site of the Pictish king Bridei's conversion to Christianity by Columba in 565 CE, although there is no real evidence for this.{{cite web | url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/13486/details/craig+phadrig/ | title=Craig Phadrig | publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland | work=Canmore | accessdate=28 May 2018}}}} and Ord Hill of Kessock, both to the west near modern-day Inverness. There are various smaller structures in the area, such as Doune of Relugas,{{cite web|url=http://canmore.org.uk/site/15755/doune-of-relugas|title=Doune Of Relugas|accessdate=17 October 2015|work=Canmore|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland }} and Dun Earn{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/15564/dun-earn|title=Dun Earn |work=Canmore|accessdate=28 May 2018}}{{efn|The small fort of Dun Earn is located, rather confusingly, above the Dunearn Burn near its confluence with the River Findhorn about {{convert|2|km}} south of Conicavel and {{convert|12|km}} downstream from Dunearn.}} lower down the Findhorn valley and Dun Evan and Castle Finlay in the Nairn valley. The existence of another large hill fort at Cluny Hill{{cite web|url=http://canmore.org.uk/site/15818/cluny-hill|title=Cluny Hill|accessdate=6 October 2015|work=Canmore|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland}} in Forres, which extends to {{convert|3.6|ha|acre}} was confirmed in 2017.Isaksen (2017) p. 37

Modern uses

It is thought that the relatively level summit of the hill was farmed for many years until 1906, including ploughing and it is likely that the stone remains of the fortification are "slight" as a result.

An artillery base was established in the fort during the Second World War.

References

= Notes =

{{notelist|notes=}}

=Citations=

{{reflist|30em|refs=}}

=Bibliography=

  • RCAHMS Emergency Survey.(1943) [https://canmore.org.uk/site/15497/dunearn?display=collection&GROUPCATEGORY=4 Manuscripts (vol.2)]
  • Feachem, R. (1963b) A guide to prehistoric Scotland. 1st. London. Page(s): 140 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.2.FEA
  • Isaksen, Leif (2017) [http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/85498/1/Cluny.compressed.pdf The Hilltop Enclosure on Cluny Hill, Forres description, destruction, disappearance".] Lancaster University. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  • {{Gaelic Placenames}}
  • Watson, W. J. (1994) The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland. Edinburgh. Birlinn. {{ISBN|1-84158-323-5}}. First published 1926.

{{River Findhorn}}

Category:Hill forts in Scotland

Category:Vitrified forts in Scotland

Category:Archaeological sites in Highland (council area)

Category:Iron Age sites in Scotland