Eilean nan Damh Fort

Situated on the north-west promontory of the small tidal island of Eilean nan Damh, this fort is a fascinating example of maritime defence. The island lies at the mouth of Loch Scridain, near the Ardtun peninsula, and is cut off from the mainland at high tide. The fort occupies a leaf-shaped promontory measuring 38 meters by 19 meters, protected by sheer cliffs on all seaward sides.

The primary artificial defence is a stone wall built across the neck of the promontory, which historically continued for a short distance along the flanks. Although the wall has been robbed of much of its stone over the centuries, a grass-grown bank of rubble about 3 meters thick remains visible. The entrance, located at the centre of the promontory neck, is roughly 1 meter wide, though no evidence of a door check remains.

The interior of the fort is level and featureless, likely serving as a refuge or a lookout point rather than a permanent settlement. Its location at the mouth of a major sea loch suggests it was strategically important for monitoring vessels entering and leaving Loch Scridain. Visiting requires careful timing with the tides, adding an element of adventure to exploring this ancient site.