Dùn Èistean facts for kids
Dùn Èistean is an amazing old place on a sea stack (a tall rock island) off the coast of the Isle of Lewis. This island is in the Western Isles of Scotland. It's close to a village called Knockaird in the area of Nis.
People have lived here for a very long time. Local stories say it was a strong fort for Clan Morrison. This clan was once very powerful in the Lordship of the Isles.
Today, you can see old ruins on the island. There are two big buildings and many smaller rooms connected together. You can also spot an artificial pond and a low wall made of earth. The highest point has a large round pile of stones. These features show how people lived and used the island.
The island had everything needed for people to live there. It had its own fresh water from the pond. Many buildings served different purposes, like storing things or sleeping.
A Look Back: Nordic Times
The Western Isles were quite different from mainland Scotland long ago. From about 800 AD to 1300 AD, they were part of Norway. This means they had a strong Norse (Viking) culture.
There are many places like Dùn Èistean around Lewis. Many of these sites were used at the same time. Some even show signs of being used in the Iron Age or even earlier. It's possible that Dùn Èistean has older secrets waiting to be found.
Clan Wars and Changes
The Vikings lost control of the Western Isles in the 1200s. After this, powerful Scottish clans became very important. The stories about Dùn Èistean come from this time. It was a period of big changes and often fighting.
The main clans involved were Clan Morrison, Macleod, and Macaulay. The Morrisons lived in Harris and Lewis, and also in the north-west Highlands. Their friends were Clan Mackay. You might also know Morrisons by names like Morison or Gilmore.
Most of the things found at Dùn Èistean are from the 1500s to the 1700s. This was after the Lordship of the Isles lost its power. This time was known as "Linn nan Creach" in Gaelic. It means the 'Era of Strife' or 'Time of Raids'.
Later, the government took more control of the Highlands and Islands. This happened after the Jacobite Rebellions in the 1700s. The old Clan system changed a lot after these events.
Today, Dùn Èistean is being studied by experts. The University of Glasgow's archaeology team is working there. They are learning more about the history of Ness and this amazing site.
