GLADMAN

Northern defences, looking west(ish).

Dun Mor (centre) ... bypassed on the way here, I subsequently discovered it is a fabulous viewpoint.

Looking down upon Loch Vallerian.

Remains of defences to NE(ish)

Southern flank... looking west(ish) across the interior of the enclosure.

Remains of defences to NE(ish)

Approaching from Dun Beag to the south... Dun Vallerian occupies the summit of the centre-right plateau. Eilean Flodigarry lies beyond.

Highlighting the very – almost prohibitively, for me – steep ascent from Kylerhea. There’s an otter sanctuary down there – not to mention a seasonal ferry traversing the narrow lists. Oh, and Gleann Beag with its magnificent brochs and stuff, approx upper centre of image.

Approx ENE along Loch Alsh. Incidentally, Eilean Donan lies just ‘round the corner beside Loch Duich, top right.

Looking across to the mossy sister peak Sgurr na Coinnich which proved more than enough last year. Beinn na Caillich (not a typo) can be seen standing before the peerless Black Cuillin, top right.

Approx north toward Kyle of Lochalsh. Showers discharged all day.... but none upon Beinn na Caillich, funny enough. Incidentally, the elegant Skye Bridge can be seen far left.

Looking across to the ‘other Beinn na Caillich’ rising above Broadford. The wondrous Glamaig can be seen to the right.

Assuming Beinn na Caillich’s cairn has a prehistoric provenance – by no means certain, although the underlying footprint and oodles of folklore suggest ‘yes’ – it’s certainly no rival for ‘Saucy Sue’s’ across the way. The views.... and sense of place, however, are.

Looking approx ENE along Kyle Rhea to Loch Alsh....

Healabhal Mhor looms beyond. This, the northern of Macleod’s Tables, possesses a Bronze Age cairn upon its extensive summit plateau... worth the climb if that’s your bag.

Looking across the main entrance and guard chambers...

Mural gallery.......

The little ‘proto-postern’ upon the eastern arc.... very unusual.

Rarely in my experience is the ‘double-skinned’ construction of the broch so well highlighted as here......

With the Black Cuillin rising top right and (should you like that sort of thing) Dunvegan Castle to centre left.

Time to leave....

Whether there were more substantial remains of an enceinte at one time is probably a moot point.

South(ish)

Looking very approx NE.

Safety review certificate pending....

Looking in...

Previous day I’d been given a severe whippin’ at Backies broch on the NE coast... while here The Misty Isle ensures the sun buggers up one’s photography. What can you do?

Thou shalt not pass......... well, when there was a door, anyway. Like a prehistoric Tiger tank the forward defences are more or less impregnable.

Looking across the entrance highlighting exposed passage lintels.

View across the interior.....

Wondrous....