The front door, on the east.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Images
Beinn Nan Caorach dominates, superb views up there.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Further along the north west defence, Port Mor in the background.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The east walls.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Remnants of the north west wall, Port Mor (the bay) in the background.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Remnants of the south west wall.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The east end.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The west end defences are pretty good.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
From lower down, stonework can be seen.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Great view of the dun from the top of Beinn Nan Caorach.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Articles
To get a birds eye view of Dun Meadhonach I decided to climb to the top of Beinn Na Caorach. It’s a worthwhile thing to do as the views are magnificent, you also look straight down (or north) to the dun plus the nearby Limpet Stones.
The summit of Caorach can be seen from the Limpets, a reasonably steep climb going up various wee valleys. Colonsay’s dry spell meant that underfoot conditions were good so it was a pleasant summer’s stroll up and then down to the dun.
As can be seen from the birds eye photo the dun is nearly oval shaped being 21m long by 13m wide. Walls still survive, best kept on the west. Some courses of stonework can still be seen. A gap on the north east would, to me, indicate an entrance but at this point the walls are badly ruined.
A great site and an opportunity to spy some other sites from high vantage point.
Visited 11/08/2024.
During the Mediaeval Period, this was said to be the seat of the chief of the MacMhuirich (“Currie”) family. His house was called Tigh Am Tom Dreiss – Bramble Knoll House”, and according to Highland custom he himself was known as “Fear Am Tom Dreiss.”
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Vol 34 (1899-1900)
Sites within 20km of Dun Meadhonach
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Fingal’s Limpet Hammers
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Lower Kilchattan
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Tobar Fuar
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Dun Eibhinn
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Scalasaig Farm
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Dun Gallain
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Buaile Riabhach
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Scalasaig Standing Stone
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Ardskenish
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Dunan Nan Con
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Scalasaig
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Dun Cholla
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Garvard Standing Stone
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Dun Uragaig
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Dun Tealtaig
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Uamh Ur
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Uamh na Bantighearna, Kiloran Bay
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Uamh Na Mine
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Cnoc Beag, Beinn Bheag
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Dunan Nan Nighean
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Clach Na Gruagach
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Dun a Gheard
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