Dun a Geard

Located approximately 1 kilometer south-west of the Old Parish Church at Kilvickeon, Dun a Geard is a well-preserved example of a “galleried dun.” It occupies a low boss on the southern end of a steep-sided rocky spur, protected by cliffs that fall away to the seashore 30 meters below. The site is sub-rectangular in shape, with an internal enclosure measuring a compact 11 meters by 9 meters, designed likely for a single extended family unit.

The defensive walls of Dun a Geard are particularly notable for their thickness, varying between 4.2 and 4.3 meters. Traces of an “intramural gallery”, a hollow passage within the wall itself can still be detected, a sophisticated architectural feature common in Hebridean forts. A separate outer wall on the north side provided additional support and protection for the main structure, showcasing the engineering skills of its builders.

The entrance to the dun appears to have been through diametrically opposed openings on the north-east and south-west sides. Although the site is now ruinous, with the walls standing only about 0.7 meters high in places, the distinct layout and the surviving gallery traces make it a significant site for understanding the construction techniques of Iron Age Mull.