Dun Skeig facts for kids
Dun Skeig is an ancient fort built on a rocky hill in Scotland. It's located in Kintyre, Argyll and Bute, overlooking West Loch Tarbert. This old fort is about 40 meters (130 feet) above the sea. It's also about 1 kilometer (half a mile) northwest of Clachan village.
What is Dun Skeig?
Dun Skeig is a special place because it shows us how people lived long, long ago. It's an oval-shaped fort from the Iron Age. The Iron Age was a time in history when people started using iron to make tools and weapons.
This site has many old buildings and signs that people lived there. The most important parts are two forts. One is an Iron Age fort made of rocks. The other is a "vitrified" fort. This means its stones were heated so much by fire that they melted and fused together. Over time, plants have grown over this vitrified fort.
The Iron Age fort is about 14 meters (46 feet) wide. Its outer wall is very thick, about 4 meters (13 feet). It only has one entrance.
Why Was Dun Skeig Built Here?
It's a bit of a climb to reach the top of Dun Skeig. But once you're there, the views of the land and sea are amazing! This high spot was chosen for a good reason. It was a perfect place to defend against enemies. From here, people could see anyone approaching from far away.
Other Ancient Sites Nearby
The Kintyre Peninsula has other interesting ancient sites too. These places also tell us about the people who lived here thousands of years ago.
- The Avinagillan standing stone
- The Ballochroy Standing Stones
- The Corriechrevie Cairn
