Dun Earba

Dun Earba is situated on a wooded rocky knoll near Garmony, on the seaward side of the main Craignure to Salen road. The site is somewhat camouflaged by the surrounding bracken and trees, which gives it a “lost world” atmosphere. The dun is irregular in shape, adapting to the contours of the rock, and encloses an area of 26 meters by 12 meters. The walls have collapsed into a spread of rubble, but careful inspection reveals the line of the foundations.

The entrance to the dun can still be identified at the lower east end of the knoll, providing a focal point for understanding how the site was accessed. The construction likely utilized locally sourced boulders, many of which now lie scattered on the slopes. This site may have seen reuse in later centuries, possibly as a secure enclosure for livestock or a temporary shelter, which is common for such accessible locations.

Its proximity to the main road makes Dun Earba one of the easier sites to reach, yet it remains relatively unknown to most tourists. It offers a chance to step off the beaten track and into the woods to find a genuine piece of prehistory, just minutes from the modern highway.