- Dunadd
-
Dunadd Hillfort Kilmartin, Argyle, Scotland, United Kingdom 
Dunadd Hillfort CragType Hillfort Coordinates 56°05′10″N 5°28′43″W / 56.08611°N 5.47861°W Construction
materialsStone In use Ironage–16th Century C.E. Current
conditionRuin Open to
the publicYes Dunadd, (Scottish Gaelic Dún Add, 'fort on the [River] Add'), is an Iron Age and later hillfort near Kilmartin in Argyll and Bute, Scotland and believed to be the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata.[1]
Contents
Description
Dunadd is a rocky crag that may have been one time an island and now lies inland near the River Add, from which it takes its name, a little north of Lochgilphead (NR 836 936). The surrounding land, now largely reclaimed, was formerly boggy and known as the Mòine Mhòr 'Great Moss' in Gaelic. This no doubt increased the defensive potential of the site.[2]
History
Originally occupied in the Iron Age, the site later became a seat of the kings of Dál Riata. It is known for its unique stone carvings below the upper enclosure, including a footprint and basin thought to have formed part of Dál Riata's coronation ritual. On the same flat outcrop of rock is an incised boar in Pictish style, and an inscription in the ogham script. The inscription is read as referring to a Finn Manach and is dated to the late 8th century or after.[3]
Dunadd is mentioned twice in early sources. In 683 the Annals of Ulster record: 'The siege of Dún At and the siege of Dún Duirn' without further comment on the outcome or participants. In the same chronicle the entry for 736 states: 'Aengus son of Fergus, king of the Picts, laid waste the territory of Dál Riata and seized Dún At and burned Creic and bound in chains two sons of Selbach, i.e. Donngal and Feradach.'[4]
The site was occupied after 736, at least into the 9th century. It is mentioned twice in later sources, suggesting that it retained some importance. In 1436, it is recorded that "Alan son of John Riabhach MacLachlan of Dunadd" was made seneschal of the lands of Glassary; the chief place of residence of the MacLachlans of Dunadd lay below the fort. In June 1506, commissioners appointed by James IV, including the earl and bishop of Argyll, met at Dunadd to collect rents and resolve feuds.[5]
The site is an Ancient Monument, under the care of Historic Scotland, and is open to the public (open all year; no entrance charge).
Excavations
Because Dunadd is mentioned in early sources, and is readily identifiable, it has been excavated on several occasions (1904-05, 1929, 1980) and has one of the most important ensembles of finds from any early medieval site in Scotland. Finds range from the 6th to the 8th centuries AD. These include tools, weapons, quernstones, imported pottery and motif-pieces and moulds for the manufacture of fine metalwork (especially jewellery).[6]
In fiction
In Rosemary Sutcliff's 1965 novel The Mark of the Horse Lord the Dal Riada undergo an internal struggle for control of royal succession, with Dun Monaidh central to the conflict, including a depiction of royal coronation and use of carved footprint.
Images
-
A View Of The River From The Summit Of Dunaad
-
A View From Atop Dunadd
-
Dunadd Hillfort - A View From The Summit
-
Carved footprint, Dunadd Hillfort
-
On site Descriptive Sign and Map
-
Pathway carved through rocks near summit
-
Mid-level approach up steep slope
Notes
- ^ John Keay and Julia Keay, Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland, (Harper Collins, 1994) p. 255.
- ^ Alan Lane and Ewan Campbell, Dunadd: An early Dalriadic capital (Oxbow Books, Oxford, 2000).
- ^ Alan Lane and Ewan Campbell, Dunadd: An early Dalriadic capital (Oxbow Books, Oxford, 2000).
- ^ The Annals of Ulster
- ^ Alan Lane and Ewan Campbell, Dunadd: An early Dalriadic capital (Oxbow Books, Oxford, 2000).
- ^ Alan Lane and Ewan Campbell, Dunadd: An early Dalriadic capital (Oxbow Books, Oxford, 2000).
See also
External links
- Three Dimensional Modelling of Scottish Early Medieval Sculpted Stones (Archaeology Data Service) AVI, QuickTime and VRML format images of Dunadd and the surrounds.
- Undiscovered Scotland: The Ultimate Online Guide page on Dunadd
- The Kingdom of the Gaels, BBC Scotland - Scotland's History
- Brief history with photos with respect to the Siol Alpin
Categories:- Archaeological sites in Argyll and Bute
- Hill forts in Scotland
- Argyll and Bute
- Historic Scotland properties
- Former populated places in Scotland
- Former islands
- Iron Age sites in Scotland
- Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Scotland
- Scotland in the Early Middle Ages
-
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
