
This view southeastwards from Dun Cruinn shows clearly one of the earthen ramparts below. The Dun in the distance is Dun Fada.
This view southeastwards from Dun Cruinn shows clearly one of the earthen ramparts below. The Dun in the distance is Dun Fada.
Dun Cruinn, viewed from the nearby Dun Fada.
Dun Cruinn, guarded by low cliffs, seen from the south.
Defensive earthfast blocks at the southwest of Dun Cruinn.
The apparent stepped entranceway at the southeast of Dun Cruinn.
A section of internal walling at Dun Cruinn.
Summit Panorama at Dun Cruinn, clearly showing the thickness of the walling, and a section of internal structure.
Visited: August 31, 2014
At the northern end of a small peninsula lying between Loch Snizort Beag and Loch Eyre, just west of the community of Kensaleyre, stands the remains of a fort: Dun Cruinn. From a gate opposite the junction of the Annishader road off the A87, just south of Kensaleyre, the OS map indicates a sinuous path heading west to the farm at Skerinish. Clearly long out of use, it peters out after a few yards, leaving you with a sometimes boggy tramp of a half kilometre before gaining the ridge ahead. There is a narrow stream to cross but there are stepping stones. Once on the ridge, paths abound, and the walk north to Dun Cruinn, passing below Dun Fada on the way, is most pleasant. The distance to cover is just over 1½ kilometres.
Dun Cruinn is well defended by steep scarps on most sides, and approaching from the south you are met with a row of large earthfast blocks to the west, perhaps a defensive feature. Farther over, to the east, is what appears to be a paved/stepped entranceway through the cliffs, leading to the grassy summit.
At the north, the remnant of a section of internal walling remains prominent but, for the most part, everything is overgrown by lush turf and heather. Views across Loch Snizort from the dun, which is located at the highest point of the peninsula, are superb.
Canmore lists numerous features of interest associated with Dun Cruinn: earthen ramparts, hut circles etc, which can be accessed at this link.
This Google Map indicates the approximate route to Dun Cruinn (red marker).
29.7.13
Viewed from a distance from Carn Liath.
Canmore (summery) states:
‘A fort with outworks overlaid by a dun, on Dun Cruinn, a rocky hill. The S half of the fort is virtually destroyed but a scarp outside the S of the dun probably represents the course of a wall. The rubble core of the wall is visible around most of the N half, indicating a wall thickness of at least 3m. Along the SW edge of the terrace is a discontinuous line of boulders which are probably the remains of the outer face of a wall protecting the approach.
The dun is turf-covered and survives to a maximum height of 1.5m. Several outer facing stones are visible intermittently around the N half and exposed in the hollowed interior in the N and W is part of the inner face giving a probable wall thickness of 4.5m in the W, increasing to 5.2m in the N. A lowering of the wall in the E may indicate the position of the entrance. Outside the fort in the E are some cultivated terraces which may be contemporary with a depopulated village’.