Description

The monument comprises a large hillfort of late prehistoric date. When the fort was scheduled in 1986 an inadequate area was included to protect various archaeological features lying outwith the main rampart, hence this extension.

Dun-da-lamh lies on the NE end of an impressive steep-sided hill called Black Craig. The fort is enclosed by a drystone wall varying from 4m to 7m thick, which survives to a maximum external height of 2.2m in the S corner of the site, and to a maximum internal height of 2.5m in the NW corner. The original entrance appears to have been on the NW, although a gap in the middle of the WSW side may also be original. A ramped access way leads towards the latter gap from the exterior, with its foot on a small platform which may alos be artificial.

There are several modern huts and a number of aerials on the fort. The above-ground elements of these are excluded from scheduling.

The area now to be scheduled is irregular on plan, measuring a maximum of 200m SW-NE by 120m, to include the fort and the ramped approach and platform on its WSW side, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The national importance of the fort lies in the exceptionally good preservation of its architectural features, and in its largely undisturbed archaeology.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is RCAHMS number NN 59 SE 3.

References:

Feachem R W 1977, Guide to prehistoric Scotland, London, 128 Held at RCAHMS E. 2. FEA.

Mackay M 1857, 'Description of the hill-fort of Dun-da-Laimh, in the Parish of Laggan, District of Badenoch, Inverness-shire', Archaeol Scot, vol. 4, 305-12.

Wallace T 1921a, 'Archaeological notes', Trans Inverness Sci Soc Fld Club, vol. 8, 125-31.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland