Capital of Dalriada
Introduction
This site is all about the ancient hillfort of Dunadd, in Argyll. The hill is situated in the Kilmartin Glen, and is surrounded by at least a dozen ancient monuments in the glen. Dunadd is just off the A816 and is reached by a farm road. Depending on the traffic, it is a journey of about an hour or more out of Oban. In wet weather the greater part of this road is muddy with water-filled potholes, although there is tarmac further along, near the hump-backed bridge.
The site has a decent carpark, made of a concrete lattice with grass growing through it so it looks like a field. In nice weather it would be a nice picnic spot if there were picnic benches. Behind the carpark is a tree lined river, which was nice. When driving along the main road, Dunadd is not hard to miss because it is a large hill in the middle of flat farmland. The access road was easy to get in and out of as it has a wide mouth. On the day we visited it was dull, had poured with rain all morning and there was patchy drizzle, but there were a few people on the summit and the car park. In fact as we left, two tour buses arrived, one full of Irish pensioners and another of tourists. The red headed tour guide had not dressed for the weather, as she had on a rather short kilt! At least the climb would warm her legs!
In wet weather, the climb up to the top of Dunadd is perilous. The way is rocky and can be rather steep. It would be good exercise even on a dry day. There is a cottage at the foot of the hill and the gate to the path can be found to the right of the property.
Contents
[Page One] The Scots of Dalriada
[Page Two] Dunadd Hillfort
[Page Three] Picture Gallery
[Page Four] Activity Page
Bibliography
Some of the sources used in this work:
The Picts and the Scots, Lloyd and Jenny Laing; Sutton Publishing; 2001, ISBN 0-7509-2873-5 £8.99
Scotland: A new History, Michael Lynch, Pimlico 1991, ISBN 0-7126-9893-0 £10
Scottish Place Names George Mackay; Lomond Books; 2002, ISBN1-84204-010-3 £3.99
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/dunadd.html The Mysterious Britain Website
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kilmartin/dunadd/index.html The Undiscovered Scotland Website
Further Reading
Some other books on a similar subject:
(http://www.amazon.co.uk)
The Battle Of Dunnichen 685 James E. Fraser; Tempus; ISBN 0-7524-2348-7 £16.99
Settlement And Sacrifice Richard Hingley; Historic Scotland; ISBN 0-86-241782-1 £5.99
The Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland http://www.crannog.co.uk
The Celts Activity Book Mike Corbishley; British Museum Press; ISBN 0-7141-2173-8 £2.75
http://www.argyllonline.co.uk
http://www.megalithic.co.uk
Map
Here is a map to show the location of Dunnad. Incase it is not clear, the thick red line represents the A816
(AND Route '99 Europe)
An S6 Production
This site is all about the ancient hillfort of Dunadd, in Argyll. The hill is situated in the Kilmartin Glen, and is surrounded by at least a dozen ancient monuments in the glen. Dunadd is just off the A816 and is reached by a farm road. Depending on the traffic, it is a journey of about an hour or more out of Oban. In wet weather the greater part of this road is muddy with water-filled potholes, although there is tarmac further along, near the hump-backed bridge.
The site has a decent carpark, made of a concrete lattice with grass growing through it so it looks like a field. In nice weather it would be a nice picnic spot if there were picnic benches. Behind the carpark is a tree lined river, which was nice. When driving along the main road, Dunadd is not hard to miss because it is a large hill in the middle of flat farmland. The access road was easy to get in and out of as it has a wide mouth. On the day we visited it was dull, had poured with rain all morning and there was patchy drizzle, but there were a few people on the summit and the car park. In fact as we left, two tour buses arrived, one full of Irish pensioners and another of tourists. The red headed tour guide had not dressed for the weather, as she had on a rather short kilt! At least the climb would warm her legs!
In wet weather, the climb up to the top of Dunadd is perilous. The way is rocky and can be rather steep. It would be good exercise even on a dry day. There is a cottage at the foot of the hill and the gate to the path can be found to the right of the property.
Contents
[Page One] The Scots of Dalriada
[Page Two] Dunadd Hillfort
[Page Three] Picture Gallery
[Page Four] Activity Page
Bibliography
Some of the sources used in this work:
The Picts and the Scots, Lloyd and Jenny Laing; Sutton Publishing; 2001, ISBN 0-7509-2873-5 £8.99
Scotland: A new History, Michael Lynch, Pimlico 1991, ISBN 0-7126-9893-0 £10
Scottish Place Names George Mackay; Lomond Books; 2002, ISBN1-84204-010-3 £3.99
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/dunadd.html The Mysterious Britain Website
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kilmartin/dunadd/index.html The Undiscovered Scotland Website
Further Reading
Some other books on a similar subject:
(http://www.amazon.co.uk)
The Battle Of Dunnichen 685 James E. Fraser; Tempus; ISBN 0-7524-2348-7 £16.99
Settlement And Sacrifice Richard Hingley; Historic Scotland; ISBN 0-86-241782-1 £5.99
The Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland http://www.crannog.co.uk
The Celts Activity Book Mike Corbishley; British Museum Press; ISBN 0-7141-2173-8 £2.75
http://www.argyllonline.co.uk
http://www.megalithic.co.uk
Map
Here is a map to show the location of Dunnad. Incase it is not clear, the thick red line represents the A816
(AND Route '99 Europe)
An S6 Production