Ancient Iron Age Dun Dearduil in Glen Nevis
Dun Deardill in Glen Nevis is the site of an Iron Age fort with a fantastic view of Ben Nevis and surrounding mountains.
Dun Dearduil – the Vitrified Fort above Glen Nevis
This ancient earthwork is accessible (by a short detour) to walkers along the West Highland Way between Blarmafoldach and Glen Nevis. It occupies a commanding point overlooking Glen Nevis*, consisting of a wall enclosing an area on a hilltop nearly 100 feet above sea level.
Vitrification is the process of fusing rocks together by some melting process requiring very high temperatures. A number of experiments, including one in Glen Nevis some years ago, have been unable to usefully recreate this process. This is one of several similar structures about the Highlands, which may be 3,000 years old. There are about sixty in Scotland, very few in England, with others in France Turkey and Iran.
Their purpose remains a mystery, though recent thinking suggests they may have been local status symbols – the penthouse Suite of the Neoloithic! There is other evidence of Vitrification in Lochaber in Arisaig, at Shielfoot near Acharacle, and on islands in Loch Arkaig and in Loch Ailort.
Pictures and text at: http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/6189/dun_deardail.html#fieldnotes
Photos on this page are from an enjoyable walk to the vitrified fort in Glen Nevis, which provides great views of Ben Nevis and the valley floor.
This ancient earthwork is accessible (by a short detour) to walkers along the West Highland Way between Blarmafoldach and Glen Nevis. It occupies a commanding point overlooking Glen Nevis*, consisting of a wall enclosing an area on a hilltop nearly 100 feet above sea level.
Vitrification is the process of fusing rocks together by some melting process requiring very high temperatures. A number of experiments, including one in Glen Nevis some years ago, have been unable to usefully recreate this process. This is one of several similar structures about the Highlands, which may be 3,000 years old. There are about sixty in Scotland, very few in England, with others in France Turkey and Iran.
Their purpose remains a mystery, though recent thinking suggests they may have been local status symbols – the penthouse Suite of the Neoloithic! There is other evidence of Vitrification in Lochaber in Arisaig, at Shielfoot near Acharacle, and on islands in Loch Arkaig and in Loch Ailort.
Pictures and text at: http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/6189/dun_deardail.html#fieldnotes
Photos on this page are from an enjoyable walk to the vitrified fort in Glen Nevis, which provides great views of Ben Nevis and the valley floor.
