Did you know
Dated to 115 BC.
The dun was built in two stages: first a level platform of massive boulders, then the galleried wall on top. Charcoal from the platform gave a date of 115 BC.
Isle of Skye
Dun Ardtreck and Ardtreck Point Lighthouse
An Iron Age fort on a rocky knoll above the sea, and a small white light on the point beyond.
Welcome
Out on Ardtreck Point, past the crofts of Portnalong, a rocky knoll stands up from the moor with the sea on three sides, and on top of it are the low walls of Dun Ardtreck.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
It was an Iron Age fort, shaped like a D, its straight side on the cliff edge and its landward wall once at least 16 feet high. Charcoal from its foundations dates it to around 115 BC.
When it was dug in the 1960s it gave up a surprising story: a first occupation that ended in violence, then people returning some 250 years later with Roman pottery and a Roman glass bead among their things. The door's own iron handle was found in the entrance. Walk round the walls and leave the stones as they are, then carry on to the small white light on the point, looking out towards Loch Harport.
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The wallsThe dun
D-shaped, on the highest point of the rock, its straight side along the cliff edge. On the landward side the wall once stood at least 16 feet high.
The outer wallThe knoll
The knoll is cut off from the moor by lower, marshy ground. An outer wall six feet thick ran along its landward edge, with a gateway in a small cleft.
The waterThe point
Beyond the dun, a small white light stands on Ardtreck Point, looking over the water towards Loch Harport.
Dun Ardtreck on its knoll, with the sea on three sides.Press a mark to look closer.
Before you go
Dun Ardtreck is a scheduled monument: walk round it, and leave every stone where it lies.
- Protected
- Scheduled Monument 7120, a galleried dun.
- The ground
- The knoll has sheer rock faces on the landward side and cliffs to the sea: keep children close.
- The finds
- What was dug up here in 1964 and 1965 is in the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow.
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Did you know
The door handle survived.
The entrance was fitted with a door, and its iron handle was found in the excavation. Behind the door a small guard cell opened off to the right.
Did you know
It ended in violence.
The first people here did not stay long. The excavators found signs that their time at the dun ended in violence and destruction.
Did you know
Roman pottery on Skye.
People came back around the middle of the 2nd century AD. Among what they left were Roman Samian pottery and a piece of a Roman melon bead, alongside iron tools and bronze ornaments.
Did you know
A fish gorge and a strike-a-light.
The finds, now in the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, include glass and amber beads, crucibles, a fish gorge, a spearhead, a finger ring and a strike-a-light for making fire.
What is on
What is new across Skye, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on on SkyeWhere it is
On Ardtreck Point in Minginish, near Portnalong, looking over the sea towards Loch Harport.
Close byThe places nearest the point, by road.
The Oyster ShedLocal seafood, from oysters to lobster bisque, at Carbost.4 miles 8 min by road
The Three Chimneys at TaliskerDining on the edge of Loch Harport, with the Cuillin behind.4 miles 7 min by road
Talisker DistillerySkye's oldest working distillery, on the shore of Loch Harport since 1830.5 miles 8 min by road
Talisker BayA small sandy bay known for its sunsets and coastal walks.9 miles 16 min by road
Bog Myrtle CaféA vintage café run by the founders of the Skye Bakehouse.16 miles 22 min by road
Dun Beag BrochAn Iron Age tower more than 2,000 years old, looking over Loch Bracadale to the Cuillin.16 miles 22 min by road
Oronsay Island, UllinishA tidal island reached on foot at low tide, with sea stacks, a beach and caves.17 miles 25 min by road
Harlosh PointThe narrow, rocky tip of Harlosh Island on Skye's west coast.23 miles 31 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the dun, and when each is next free.
Skyewalker Hostel- Sleeps 27
- In Portnalong
- A mile from Ardtreck
Harlosh Black h- Sleeps 2
- In Harlosh
- 5 miles from Ardtreck
The Dunvegan- To stay
- In Dunvegan
- 9 miles from Ardtreck
Skeabost House Hotel- A hotel
- In Skeabost Bridge
- 9 miles from Ardtreck
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Read on
The collections it is in and more on Skye.
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Dun Ardtreck, SkyeThe full record: the knoll, the walls, the dates and the finds.her.highland.gov.ukHighland Historic Environment Record↗
- Skye, Dun ArdtreckThe national record, with the excavator's photographs of 1963.trove.scotHistoric Environment Scotland↗
- Excavations at Dun Ardtreck, Skye, in 1964 and 1965Euan MacKie's own report of the dig.journals.socantscot.orgSociety of Antiquaries of Scotland↗
- The HunterianThe museum in Glasgow that holds the finds.gla.ac.ukUniversity of Glasgow↗