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Dùn Ghallain

Heritage Site in Argyllshire

Scotland

Dùn Ghallain

Ben Laga Above Loch Sunart with Oronsay in the foreground.
Ben Laga Credit: Richard Webb

Dùn Ghallain is a historic site located in Argyllshire, Scotland. Situated on a hilltop, this heritage site offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Loch Gilp and the town of Dunoon. It is believed to have been a stronghold of the ancient Gaelic kingdom of Dalriada.

The name Dùn Ghallain translates to "Galwegian Fort" in Gaelic, reflecting its historical significance. The site consists of an Iron Age fort, dating back to around 200 BC, and a later medieval castle. The fort is characterized by its defensive stone walls, which enclose an area of approximately 0.5 hectares. These walls were strategically built on the hilltop to provide a vantage point for monitoring and defending the area.

The medieval castle, believed to have been constructed in the 13th or 14th century, is situated within the fort's walls. Although now in ruins, it offers a glimpse into the architectural style and defensive features of the time. The castle would have likely served as a residence for local nobility or as a stronghold during times of conflict.

Dùn Ghallain is a popular destination for history enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike. Visitors can explore the remains of the fort and castle, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site is also easily accessible, with a parking area nearby and well-maintained walking paths leading to the hilltop.

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Dùn Ghallain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.677/-5.828 or Grid Reference NM6560. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ben Laga Above Loch Sunart with Oronsay in the foreground.
Ben Laga
Above Loch Sunart with Oronsay in the foreground.
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Salen
B8007 towards Laga
B8007 towards Laga
By Loch Sunart
By Loch Sunart
Rubh' an t-Sionnaich, Loch Sunart
Rubh' an t-Sionnaich, Loch Sunart
Glencripesdale from Dun Ghallain On the far bank of Loch Sunart, Glencripesdale is a Category B Listed former tacksman's house of about 1800. Glencripesdale is one of the oldest farms in Morvern dating back to the Maclean period in 1674. The farm was bought at the Argyll sales in 1820 by the Stewarts of Auch and is the largest of the surviving fifth Duke of Argyll's tacksmen's houses in Morvern. (Although a tacksman generally paid a yearly rent for the land let to him, his "tack", his tenure might last for several generations. He would often be related to his landlord, the free-holder, and in turn would let out his land to sub-tenants and possibly keep some in hand himself).
Glencripesdale from Dun Ghallain
On the far bank of Loch Sunart, Glencripesdale is a Category B Listed former tacksman's house of about 1800. Glencripesdale is one of the oldest farms in Morvern dating back to the Maclean period in 1674. The farm was bought at the Argyll sales in 1820 by the Stewarts of Auch and is the largest of the surviving fifth Duke of Argyll's tacksmen's houses in Morvern. (Although a tacksman generally paid a yearly rent for the land let to him, his "tack", his tenure might last for several generations. He would often be related to his landlord, the free-holder, and in turn would let out his land to sub-tenants and possibly keep some in hand himself).
Gate, Glencripesdale At the start of the 13km run along a potholed road to the nearest public tarmac past Laudale. The gate is locked.
Gate, Glencripesdale
At the start of the 13km run along a potholed road to the nearest public tarmac past Laudale. The gate is locked.
Beach, Glencripesdale Here the steep slopes immediately above the shore stop as this is the opening of a big glen. The pier in the distance pioneered removal of timber by sea in the 1990s.
Beach, Glencripesdale
Here the steep slopes immediately above the shore stop as this is the opening of a big glen. The pier in the distance pioneered removal of timber by sea in the 1990s.
Beach, Glencripesdale A view across Loch Sunart towards Ben Laga.
Beach, Glencripesdale
A view across Loch Sunart towards Ben Laga.
Timber pier, Glencripesdale A barge has been used to form a pier for the export of timber from the former Forestry Commission forest in Glencripesdale.
Timber pier, Glencripesdale
A barge has been used to form a pier for the export of timber from the former Forestry Commission forest in Glencripesdale.
Wetland, Glencripesdale View towards Carna in Loch Sunart.
Wetland, Glencripesdale
View towards Carna in Loch Sunart.
Glencripesdale A big open area in front of the 18th century farmhouse.
Glencripesdale
A big open area in front of the 18th century farmhouse.
Scottish Rights of Way Society sign, Glencripesdale A couple of hill routes over to Rahoy and a couple of ways to Laudale from outside the farmhouse.
Scottish Rights of Way Society sign, Glencripesdale
A couple of hill routes over to Rahoy and a couple of ways to Laudale from outside the farmhouse.
Road up Glen Cripesdale Passing the farmhouse.
Road up Glen Cripesdale
Passing the farmhouse.
Glencripesdale Burn Quite a big burn draining into Loch Sunart. There was once a big house nearby, but I have not been able to place the site.
Glencripesdale Burn
Quite a big burn draining into Loch Sunart. There was once a big house nearby, but I have not been able to place the site.
The farmhouse, Glencripesdale The tackmans house, built around 1775. It was briefly a hotel. I don't know where the demolished castle/18th century mansion stood, suspect above where there is a big clearing.
The farmhouse, Glencripesdale
The tackmans house, built around 1775. It was briefly a hotel. I don't know where the demolished castle/18th century mansion stood, suspect above where there is a big clearing.
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Dùn Ghallain is located at Grid Ref: NM6560 (Lat: 56.677, Lng: -5.828)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///emerald.reckoned.organist. Near Drimnin, Highland

Nearby Locations

Dùn Ghallain Port nan Gall

Related Wikis

Glencripesdale House
Glencripesdale House

Glencripesdale House, or Glencripesdale Castle as it was sometimes referred to, was the centre of the 26,000-acre (11,000-hectare) Glencripesdale Estate...

Glencripesdale Estate
Glencripesdale Estate

The Glencripesdale Estate is a country estate situated along the south side of Loch Sunart, a sea loch in the west highlands of Scotland. Today, the Isle...

Laga, Lochaber
Laga, Lochaber

Laga (Scottish Gaelic: Làga) is a hamlet on the north shore of Loch Sunart near Acharacle, in Lochaber, in the Highlands of Scotland and is in the council...

Càrna
Càrna

Carna or Càrna is an island in Loch Sunart, an arm of the sea, close to the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. == Geography == Carna...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.677,-5.828
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.6812659/-5.829969
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.6808622/-5.8309159
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.6802824/-5.8322811
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.6797506/-5.8340272
OpenStreetMap
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Dùn Garbhlaich Inverness-shire
Dùn Glas Argyllshire

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