Dùn dà Làmh

Interior of Dùn dà Làmh
Recent structure at Dùn dà Làmh

Dùn dà Làmh is a Pictish now ruined hill fort near Laggan in the Scottish Highlands. It became a scheduled monument in 1986, with an extension to the protected area realized in 2001.[1]

Overview

The name Dùn dà Làmh is Gaelic and means fort of the two hands.[2]

Dùn dà Làmh sits on a hilltop overlooking a dam on the river Spey to the north, and towards the south it has a view of the River Mashie and Strath Mashie.[3] The hillslopes are steep on three sides, with only the west being more accessible.[4]

The approximate size of the fort is 110 metres (360 ft) in length, with width varying between 30 and 75 metres (98 and 246 ft).[4] The fort has ramparts constructed from slabs. The ramparts at the western section are the ones best preserved.[4] On average the ramparts are between 4 and 5 metres (13 and 16 ft) wide, with a maximum of 7.5 metres (25 ft). The interior of the fort is around 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) in size.[3] The interior of the fort is mostly free from trees although sproutlings are appearing.[4] Within the fort there are two shelters, which are believed to have been constructed by the Home Guard during the Second World War.[4][5]

The fort has not been excavated, but was archaeologically surveyed in 2010–2011.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Dun-da-Lamh, fort (SM4361)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Dun-da-Lamh Fort". welcometoscotland.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Dun da Lamh fort". Forestry Commission Scotland. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "A topographic archaeological survey of five Pictish forts in the Highlands" (PDF). Headland Archaeology. March 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Dun-da-lamh, Laggan". Canmore. Retrieved 20 February 2016.

57°00′22″N 4°20′08″W / 57.0061°N 4.3356°W / 57.0061; -4.3356