Dun Cul Bhuirg

Dun Cul Bhuirg is a significant Iron Age hillfort located on the island of Iona, just off the coast of Mull. Situated on a rocky crag on the island’s west side, this ancient fortification is a prominent landmark and a key site for understanding the early history of the region. The remains of its dry-stone walls and the rugged terrain of the crag provide a tangible link to a period of history stretching back over two thousand years.

Archaeological excavations at the site have unearthed extensive occupation debris, including distinctive pottery and other finds that point to its use in the early centuries AD, specifically between 100 BC and AD 300. As one of the most southerly locations for such Hebridean wares, the site offers valuable insight into the defensive architecture and daily life of the Iron Age communities that inhabited the area. The interior of the fort shows evidence of small, stone-founded huts and a central hearth.

The site is also steeped in local folklore and tradition. Legend connects the hillfort to St. Columba, with some accounts suggesting he stood on its summit and saw a plague cloud over Ireland. Although much of the original fortification is now in ruins, Dun Cul Bhuirg remains a scheduled monument, protecting its history and providing a fascinating historical point of interest for visitors to Iona.