Dun Ringill

NG 562171

visited 26/7/2016

 



Directions – an easy walk along a clearly defined coastal path.  There is a large layby marked P on the map at NG545172.  From this point it is an easy walk, turning right at the minor road at Kilmarie, down towards Kilmarie house, crossing the river at the bridge just before the house, from here a clearly defined coastal path which leads very close to the Dun.  Bracken and nettles may obscure the site in summer.  It is possible for the more adventurous to cross the river via stepping stones, nearer to the sea.

 


Looking at the OS map, one of the first things that strikes me is the number of Duns/brochs along this coastline.  While we cannot know exactly when they were built, it is reasonable to assume they were built and still all in reasonable condition towards the end of the first century AD.  Must have been an impressive sight.

Plan from Canmore

When I tried to find out a bit more about Dun Ringill, google just wanted to tell me about Jethro Tull. Their song, Dun Ringill was written in 1979 by group member Ian Anderson who owned the Strathaird Estate from 1978 to 1994 when it was purchased by  the John Muir Trust.

In the wee hours I'll meet you
Down by Dun Ringill
Oh, and we'll watch the old gods play

 

RCHMS classify this site as a Dun, (1928) Mackie suggests it is a semi broch (1965). Harding suggested it was a circular broch – part of which had fallen over the cliff. (https://canmore.org.uk/site/11431/skye-dun-ringill).  By my own personal classification, I have decided it is a dun, but with architectural aspects in common with a broch.. so"semi-broch" is maybe an acceptable description  - although this term is no longer fashionable. I would guess (in the absence of any firm data to prove me wrong) that this structure is earlier than most "true" brochs but later than the promontory forts where a slightly curved wall was built across the neck of the promontory (e.g Rubh an Dunain or nearby Dun Grugaig) .  Maybe they were experimenting with the concept of galleries, cavity walls and intra mural cells within an almost circular structure.  On the other hand it could simply be the location that dictated the form of the structure.

There are no records of excavation but the site has been re-used in later times which complicates its definition.  There is evidence of medieval/post medieval mortar in some of the lower levels.

According to Mary Miers, quoted on canmore, the structure was  “ refashioned c.14th century as the first residence of the Mackinnon chiefs in Skye (later abandoned for Kyleakin); remains of two medieval lime-mortared buildings in the curtilage. This was one of the six 'castells' on the island listed by Dean Monro in the mid-16th century.” (https://canmore.org.uk/site/11431/skye-dun-ringill )

 One of the most fascinating aspects is the remains of a cell within the South wall.  A curved and corbelled section is visible.  This was apparently part of a large cell, the outer wall having fallen over the cliff.

Curved wall of possible  intra mural cell

Entrance

The original walls remain but the lintels and walling above the original entrance have been removed (and probably recycled in constructing the newer, inner tower).  The combined entrance became quite long and awkward, with a slope which seems to bring you out into the middle of the new construction.

Curved wall seen from further back

The best photos and some of the wording has been blatantly copied from Su's personal blog http://stayathome2010.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/terrific-tuesday.html