11/06/2026
Some years ago, as a child I would be fascinated by our local maps showing the array of ancient monuments located nearby in the distinctive italic writing. It provoked a strong curiosity about these hillforts, camps, tumuli, etc. scattered about the chalk downland landscape. The lines drawn on the map, a strange assembly. Why were they created? What was their purpose and who roamed these parts then? They were questions that filled my imagination, especially as I was unable to visit many of them at that time and they were also associated with fascinating myths and legends. Soon, I moved onto reading books covering these sites by such local scribes as Worthington G Smith and James Dyer.
We have both had a longtime interest in archaeology and the landscape and this is one of the many reasons why we desired to make our home and business in beautiful Argyll. It is simply littered with physical signs from the past, including the many enigmatic Iron Age duns which overlook the coast and important old trackways. These were significant camps and viewing platforms dating from the year 100B.C. perhaps to 500 A.D. More can be learned about them from many resources on the internet and also the brilliant Kilmartin Museum (more about this on another post soon) which is situated about 9 miles south of here.
Here, above The Old Cottage Bed and Breakfast in Arduaine, there is also a formidable dun present which seems to watch over the area like a vigilant guardian. It is named "Dungaivlaig" and the link further below will provide information about it. There are also a number of other duns that surround Arduaine and many of these can be seen from the property, even the breakfast table! These include; An Cnap, Creag Aoil, Dun Glas, Dun na Garbh Sroine, Dun Fadaidh, Dun Crutain, Caisteal Nan Coin Duibh (“Castle of the Black Dogs”) and others.
Please have a look at the photographs we have taken last winter. If you would like to know more about this topic when you are here, we would be very happy to assist you.
Done and dusted? No, the past is within reach!
https://ancientmonuments.uk/127242-arduaine-dun-65m-north-west-of-the-old-cottage-oban-north-and-lorn-ward
