Dun Calgary

Dun Calgary occupies a prominent rocky outcrop immediately overlooking the pier and white sands of Calgary Bay. Its location is arguably one of the most strategic in North Mull, commanding the entrance to a major natural harbour and the fertile glen behind it. However, the physical structure of the dun has suffered greatly over time; it was extensively used as a “quarry” for building the later cottages and walls in the vicinity, leaving little of the original stonework intact.

Today, the site is defined by the natural shape of the summit and the faint traces of the foundation course. Only intermittent stretches of the lowest stones of the outer wall survive, primarily on the western side. The oval enclosure, measuring 14.5 meters by 7.5 meters, can still be traced by following the edge of the plateau, but visitors should expect a site where the imagination must fill in the gaps left by the missing stones.

Despite the lack of standing walls, Dun Calgary is an essential stop for anyone visiting the bay. The view from the summit is identical to that seen by the Iron Age watchmen, covering the entire bay and the sea beyond. It provides a crucial context to the landscape, transforming a beautiful beach into a historical theatre of trade and defense.