Comar Wood dun

Do you picture Victorian adventurers in Egypt when you think about archaeology? Now imagine finding an Iron Age fort in a Scottish forest as recently as 2010.

One of our forest rangers discovered the ‘dun’ at Comar Wood near Cannich in Strathglass. There were some local stories about the structure, but it was never recorded on maps. 

Aerial shot of Comar Wood dun.

Revealing Comar Wood dun

We felled the mature Douglas fir trees covering the dun, lowering them to the ground on ropes. Only then were machines allowed on site. We needed their power to lift and move the huge timbers.

Archaeologists then started to excavate the site to investigate what remained. It turned out to be the remains of an Iron Age galleried dun. Radiocarbon analysis suggests it was occupied between 400 BC and AD 200.

A person during an archaeoligcal dig.

What is a dun?

Duns are:

  • small but impressive defended settlements – home to an extended family and their livestock
  • built with large conical thatched roofs and impressive drystone walls
  • usually situated in a prominent position with commanding views
  • powerful social statemenst – displaying a family’s wealth and tenure over their land

Future plans

Tree roots caused some damage to the masonry. Much remained intact – including an impressive central stone hearth. Detailed surveys and conservation reports will influence our forestry work in the area.