The final stop of a glorious day traipsing around Cragabus and Port Ellen concluded at the promontory fort Sron Dubh.
Follow the road south from Druim Nam Madagan until it ends at the A846 and head slightly east towards Port Ellen. A track, a mixture of bog, remnants of bonfires, dry bits and sea shells heads south leading to the fort. By this time night was coming down, a hint of mist, the sea was eerily calm and there was total silence. This is a beautiful place, situated between The Ard (a fort I visited) and Portintruan (another fort to be visited next time). Fine views of Texa, the island to the south east.
With a natural harbour near to the fort and some steep cliffs on the south this seems quite a good place for a fort. However the north isn't very high and is protected by wall which originally was 3m wide. This seems quite common for the south forts.
Where there wasn't a wall nature provided rocks and in the gaps man made defences can be seen. The forts interior is made up of small sections like rooms, similarly were nature didn't fill the space, man did. One space not filled was the entrance and tghis can be found in the north west.
A great first day back in Islay and a contented dram or two coming up.
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Posted by drewbhoy
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