55°27′32″N 5°17′19″W / 55.45897°N 5.288585°W / 55.45897; -5.288585

Torr a'Chaisteal
Torr a'Chaisteal
Torr a'Chaisteal is located in North Ayrshire
Torr a'Chaisteal
Shown within the Isle of Arran, Scotland
LocationIsle of Arran
Coordinates55°27′32″N 5°17′19″W / 55.45897°N 5.288585°W / 55.45897; -5.288585
TypeDun
History
PeriodsIron Age
Site notes
OwnershipHistoric Scotland
Public accessYes

Torr a'Chaisteal (or Torr a'Chaisteil) is an Iron Age fort (dun), located about 1 mile (2 kilometres) northeast of the village of Sliddery, on the Isle of Arran in Scotland (grid reference NR92172326).

Description

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Torr a'Chaisteal is situated on an isolated grassy knoll on the west coast of Arran.[1]

It was a fortified residence, or dun, of a type common across western Scotland in the later Iron Age.[1] A similar structure can be seen at Kilpatrick Dun 2+12 mi (4 km) to the north.[2] The turf-covered walls are 0.5 metres high and have an average width of 4 metres.[3] The walls are formed of large sandstone boulders, enclosing an area with a diameter of around 7 metres.[1] A short stretch of wall lies beside the dun to the east, while on the landward approach is a substantial earthwork that may have formed an outer defence.[1]

Antiquarian excavations in the 19th century uncovered human and animal bones, shells, the top stone of a quern, and pieces of haematite iron.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Torr A'chaisteal Fort, Historic Scotland, accessed 2 May 2014
  2. ^ Kilpatrick Dun (or Cashel), Historic Scotland, accessed 2 May 2014
  3. ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Arran, Torr A' Chaisteil (39674)". Canmore. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
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