Dùn Morbhaidh
Encyclopedia
Dùn Morbhaidh, also known as Dun Borbaidh, is a hillfort located on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll
. The early 20th century antiquary Erskine Beveridge considered it as one of the four most interesting fortifications on Coll (along with Dùn an Achaidh
, Dùn Anlaimh
, and Dùn Dubh
). The site is located at .
stated his opinion that the correct name for Dùn Morbhaidh was Dun Borbaidh; and in consequence, the name which appeared on maps was probably incorrect. He stated that the fort takes its name from the nearby Eilean Borbaidh, and Traigh Bhorbaidh; and that the local pronunciation was "Borow", or "Borive". Beveridge noted that "Borive" resembles several other Hebridean placenames; and that it appeared to be derived from the Norse language borg.
. The site is located at .
The eastern half of the hill is made up of a series of slopes, terraces, and outcrops. There is visible evidence of the remains of two more walls. The medial wall is, for the most part, placed around a terrace; though it also appears in a narrow gap on the northern part of the same terrace. The outer wall is located around the foot of the hill and faces level ground. Only traces of this wall are visible: on one side of the entrace, and an outer stretch of facing stones are also visible.
material, small rounded pebbles, and the abundance of hammerstone
s (many of which were broken) at the site. He also found several examples of potsherd decorated with incised patterns and finger-impressed cordons. Beveridge considered that some of the finds had been subjected to fire; in his mind, similar to the foundations he described at Dùn an Achaidh
. Two of the potsherds bear the incised figures of deer; and are currently kept in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. According to Richard Hingley, potsherd decorated with figures of deer have been found in a number of achaelogical sites in the Hebrides (on Bragar
, Lewis
; Kilpheder, South Uist
; Galson, Lewis; and Dùn Morbhaidh). Hingley stated that this would seem to indicate an importance of hunting in some of the Iron Age communities in the Western Isles.
The site was visited, in 1972, by the Ordnance Survey
, which noted that the site was "probably a dun with outworks". No trace of any midden was found on the site. In 1995, M. W. Holley found some potsherd on the site, located at .
beneath it. This cave was to have extended from its entrance, on the rocky shore, to far inland. According to Beveridge, the cave was said to have been the scene of a massacre of many natives of the area.
Coll
Coll is a small island, west of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and for Breachacha Castle.-Geography and geology:...
. The early 20th century antiquary Erskine Beveridge considered it as one of the four most interesting fortifications on Coll (along with Dùn an Achaidh
Dùn an Achaidh
Dùn an Achaidh, sometimes Anglicised as Dun Acha, is a dun located near the village of Acha on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. It is considered the best preserved dun on the island. The site of Dùn an Achaidh is located at . According to local tradition, the dun was the stronghold of, and named...
, Dùn Anlaimh
Dùn Anlaimh
Dùn Anlaimh, also known as Dùn Amhlaidh, and Eilean nan Cinneachan, is a crannog , located within Loch nan Cinneachan on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. Upon the crannog there are the remains of walls and several buildings...
, and Dùn Dubh
Dùn Dubh
Dùn Dubh is a hillfort, located on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. The fort is one of three associated with a local tradition which states that they were once the fortresses of Norsemen before being defeated by a Maclean chieftain...
). The site is located at .
Etymology
The early 20th century antiquary Erskine BeveridgeErskine Beveridge
Erskine Beveridge LL.D. FRSE was a Scottish textile manufacturer and antiquary. He was the owner of Erskine Beveridge & Co. Ltd., which had been founded by his father in 1832 and was the largest linen manufacturer in Dunfermline, Fife...
stated his opinion that the correct name for Dùn Morbhaidh was Dun Borbaidh; and in consequence, the name which appeared on maps was probably incorrect. He stated that the fort takes its name from the nearby Eilean Borbaidh, and Traigh Bhorbaidh; and that the local pronunciation was "Borow", or "Borive". Beveridge noted that "Borive" resembles several other Hebridean placenames; and that it appeared to be derived from the Norse language borg.
Location
Dùn Morbhaidh is located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Gallanach, on CollColl
Coll is a small island, west of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and for Breachacha Castle.-Geography and geology:...
. The site is located at .
Description
Dùn Morbhaidh sits atop a craggy hill, close to the shore. The highest part of the site is located on the west-side and the summit; and measures about 30 by 15 m (98.4 by 49.2 ft). This part is guarded on the western side by a wall, which only traces of survive. Two short lengths of the outerface of this wall are visible, and stand at a maximum height of 0.7 metres (2.3 ft), in three courses.The eastern half of the hill is made up of a series of slopes, terraces, and outcrops. There is visible evidence of the remains of two more walls. The medial wall is, for the most part, placed around a terrace; though it also appears in a narrow gap on the northern part of the same terrace. The outer wall is located around the foot of the hill and faces level ground. Only traces of this wall are visible: on one side of the entrace, and an outer stretch of facing stones are also visible.
Archaeological finds
Beveridge found the remains of middenMidden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...
material, small rounded pebbles, and the abundance of hammerstone
Hammerstone
In archaeology, a hammerstone is a hard cobble used to strike off lithic flakes from a lump of tool stone during the process of lithic reduction. The hammerstone is a rather universal stone tool which appeared early in most regions of the world including Europe, India and North America...
s (many of which were broken) at the site. He also found several examples of potsherd decorated with incised patterns and finger-impressed cordons. Beveridge considered that some of the finds had been subjected to fire; in his mind, similar to the foundations he described at Dùn an Achaidh
Dùn an Achaidh
Dùn an Achaidh, sometimes Anglicised as Dun Acha, is a dun located near the village of Acha on the Inner Hebridean island of Coll. It is considered the best preserved dun on the island. The site of Dùn an Achaidh is located at . According to local tradition, the dun was the stronghold of, and named...
. Two of the potsherds bear the incised figures of deer; and are currently kept in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. According to Richard Hingley, potsherd decorated with figures of deer have been found in a number of achaelogical sites in the Hebrides (on Bragar
Bragar
Bragar is a village on the west side of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, 14 miles from the island's only town, Stornoway.Residents are mainly Gaelic speaking, and many work as crofters....
, Lewis
Lewis
Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is ....
; Kilpheder, South Uist
South Uist
South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The...
; Galson, Lewis; and Dùn Morbhaidh). Hingley stated that this would seem to indicate an importance of hunting in some of the Iron Age communities in the Western Isles.
The site was visited, in 1972, by the Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
, which noted that the site was "probably a dun with outworks". No trace of any midden was found on the site. In 1995, M. W. Holley found some potsherd on the site, located at .
Tradition
Beveridge stated that there was no tradition associated with the fort itself, though he noted that one concerned a caveCave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
beneath it. This cave was to have extended from its entrance, on the rocky shore, to far inland. According to Beveridge, the cave was said to have been the scene of a massacre of many natives of the area.