Creag a’ Chaisteil Fort

This prominent Iron Age fortification is situated on a rugged promontory at the foot of the north-west face of Creag a’ Chaisteil, overlooking the southern shore of Calgary Bay. The site effectively utilizes the natural landscape for defence, with high cliffs protecting the west, north, and north-east approaches. The southern and eastern sides, which are approached over level ground, were historically defended by a massive stone wall, remnants of which can still be seen today as a grass-covered band of rubble approximately 3 meters thick.

Excavations carried out in the mid-20th century revealed significant structural details, including a paved entrance passage and evidence of a substantial timber gate. Inside the defences, archaeologists discovered the remains of a roughly oval house with a beaten-earth floor and wattle-and-daub walls, offering a rare glimpse into the domestic life of the fort’s inhabitants. The fort’s strategic position would have provided commanding views over the bay, allowing for early warning of approaching maritime threats.

Today, Creag a’ Chaisteil stands as a fascinating example of prehistoric defensive architecture on the Isle of Mull. While the walls have degraded over millennia, the site remains an evocative location for visitors interested in the island’s ancient past. The combination of natural cliff defences and constructed ramparts illustrates the ingenuity of the Iron Age builders who sought to control this vital coastal inlet.