Images (9)
Fieldnotes (1)

Images

Dunan Choinnich Sleat peninsular. Prehistoric dun overlooking the Sound of Sleat about 3/4 mile from Knock Castle.

Image credit: Skye Dawn

Skye Dawn Mar 3, 2021

This overview of Dunan Choinnich, surrounded by a pattern of old lazybeds, was taken from the summit of the 60 metre high hill to its northwest.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

This view of the inner court of Dunan Choinnich was taken from the eminence to the west of the structure.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

Remains of walling to the east of Dunan Choinnich, where the only significant stretch of outer walling course may be seen.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

The eastern rampart of Dunan Choinnich. A pair of inner walling foundation blocks is visible at right foreground while random stones peek out above.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

No visible structure remains of this, the collapsed landward wall of Dunan Choinnich.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

This is a panoramic image across the court of Dunan Choinnich, looking north.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

A pile of walling material cascades down the northern boundary of Dunan Choinnich. This may be the location of an entrance passage.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

Rugged cliffs surround the seaward boundary of Dunan Choinnich. This is a view from the west.

Image credit: Les Hamilton

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

Articles

Dunan Choinnich

Stone Fort / Dun

LesHamilton Sep 7, 2020

Visited: August 31, 2020

Dunan Choinnich, which Canmore considers may well be the remains of a broch, must surely be one of the most difficult features of its kind to visit on the entire Isle of Skye.

From the road at Torabhaig Distillery in Teangue, the distance to Dunan Choinnich is exactly one kilometre. But the rugged coastline is not an option: there is no direct path. To reach the dun, start at the distillery where a rough farm track heads off to the right and circles around the Torabhaig buildings before crossing the Allt Ghleann Thorabhaig (a stream). Immedaitely ahead, the path is gated, and an arrow board points to the right where a walkers’ path follows the stream to the coast. Ahead is a ruined building with a rusted-red roof; pass this and ascend the grassy slope below the ruins of Knock Castle where you should spot a trodden path heading left (east) to a fence.

Straddle this fence and pick up a good walkers’ path that hugs the fenceline of the field to the left. This peters out after about 500 metres, at which point you must descend the shallow valley carrying the Allt Gairistin Neill burn and ascend the prominent 60 metre high hill opposite.

The slopes are bracken covered in summer but there are plentiful grassy tongues which ease the way. From the summit of the hill, you see Dunan Choinnich sitting at the neck of a rocky peninsula. Descent is through somewhat denser vegetation, but there are grassy tongues and sheep paths to ease you down. It took me a full hour to reach Dunan Choinnich from Knock Castle!

Good strong walking boots are an absolute necessity!

Dunan Choinnich is extremely ruinous, though its grassy central court is evident from afar, surrounded by a vegetated rampart to the east and the tumbled, featureless residue of a wall that originally marked its landward boundary. There are only the scantiest remnants of structural detail remaining of a construction that is most definitely a target only for the determined connaisseur!