Dun Cuier, Barra

Dun Cuier, Barra

A very well-preserved Iron Age galleried dun looking north to the Eoligarry peninsula. Dun Cuier (Dun Chuidhir) was in use as late as the 7th century. You could even stretch a point and say that it was in use as late as the 18th century, for royalist troops occupied it during the process of putting down Bonnie Prince Charlie's 1745 Jacobite rebellion.

When the dun was excavated in 1953 and 1955 finds showed occupation from the 4th to the 7th century. Objects found on the site include a bone comb, pottery, bone dice, pins, querns, and other stone tools. Finds from Dun Cuier are now housed in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland.

The dun measures just under 30 feet internally, with very thick walls up to 16 feet wide, standing only 4-5 feet high.

It is very easy to access the dun, though the hill is steep in places. Park at the Cuier cemetery, go through the farm gate opposite and take the trail indicated by painted posts up the hillside.

The trail winds a bit to go around the hillside, so if you are impatient and fit, just head straight up the hill in front of you until the broch comes into view a few hundred yards up. It is well worth the exertion to climb up the hill to the dun, as the views are exhilarating.