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Dun Dornaigil

Impressive, well preserved broch that stands almost 7 metres tall with distinctivetiangular lintel about the entrance. On small road south of village of Alltnacaillich

Also known as Dun Dornadilla, this is a well-preserved broch with a distinctive entrance with large triangular lintel, standing to a height of up to 6.7 metres. 

Dun Dornaigil is a fine example of a broch which is a type of fortification found only in Scotland. In fact, there are well over 500 of them across the country, the majority in northern and western Scotland and the islands. Brochs emerged during the Iron Age around 2,300 years ago. They stopped being built in the early centuries AD. 

Brochs developed from strong circular houses into tall, imposing buildings. They were drystone structures formed of two concentric walls, with a narrow entrance passage at ground level and small cells entered off the central area. A stone stair corkscrewed its way to the top between the two walls. 

What remains of Dun Dornaigil is very impressive from the outside, for part of its outer wall still stands almost 7m high. When complete, the broch may well have stood almost as high again. The interior is still filled with collapsed rubble from the upper levels and is therefore not accessible. However, the single entrance doorway into it does remain. This entrance is one of the most impressive broch doorways in existence, courtesy of its massive triangular lintel.

We don't know a great deal about this broch and who lived here. They were ostensibly defensive in their concept and must hav required major resource to build so they were clearly important to the local community. Their construction is ingenious and they remain the most notable construction achievement of the Iron Age. see link for more about brochs

Historic Scotland page

Nearby Towns

Altnaharra, Lairg, Tongue

Travel Directions to Dun Dornaigil

Turn of A836 at Hope and travel 5 miles south or so. The Broch is visible from the road.

The road is a narrow single lane C road.

Nearby Castles

  • Tongue House / House of Tongue

    Built in 1678, it is the Scottish home of the Countess of Sutherland. Formerly the seat of the Clan Mackay, the house sits on the site of the clan's previous home. It is said to have been burned by Cromwell's army in 1656, while pursuing the Chief of Mackay. It was rebuilt by the Mackays several years later. But in 1829, Tongue House and the majority of the Mackay Estate had to be sold to pay off debts owing to the Sutherland family.

  • Caisteal Bharraich Castle Varrich

    Dramatic ruin visible from Tongue in the Far North. You can walk across and back for a drink in a local bar. The castle is located on a prominent rise overlooking the Kyle of Tongue,

  • Rosal Township

    Once substantial township entirely cleared in the Highland Clearances. Eery and tragic evidence of how this event transformed this land and landscape.

  • Buailard Croft House Lairg sleeps 5

    A modernized, century-old croft house, Buailard's  is sitting high on the hill above Eddrachillis Bay, overlooking some of the most spectacular and breathtaking wilderness scenery in Europe.

    • Sleeps: 5

  • Novar Cottage Tongue Sleeps 6

    Bungalow style cottage  on the north coast of Scotland that sleeps 6 (max) with wonderful views west towards the Kyle of Tongue. Set in own grounds with decking for the sunsets.

    • Sleeps: 6

Dun Dornaigil Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering

2563 Wednesday, 27 January 2016