Dun a Chiabhaig

Dun a Chiabhaig Uisken Iron Age Mull is the remains of an ancient defensive Iron Age settlement, or dun, dating back to the first millennium BC. Situated on a prominent, naturally defensible rocky knoll near the settlement of Uisken on the Ross of Mull, the site provides a striking testament to early human activity on the island. The dun is roughly oval in plan, with the internal enclosure measuring approximately 30 metres by 15.5 metres. The structure was likely designed to provide defense for an extended family unit.

The fort’s strategic position offers a strong natural defense: it can be approached relatively easily up a grassy slope on the west side, but on all other sides it is protected by steep, rocky slopes or vertical rock faces. The original single stone wall appears to have varied in thickness, reaching an estimated 4.5 metres thick on the north-west side. A dip in the core material on the west side may indicate the position of the original entrance.

To visit Dun a Chiabhaig, travellers must take the road past Bunessan towards Uisken. The site is located about 270 metres above Uisken beach, adjacent to the road, with a Grid Reference of NM 387 189. Although the wall is now little more than a low bank or stony scarp, the site is a rewarding stop for history enthusiasts, providing stunning views of the rugged coastline and the nearby Uisken beach.