Dunadd Fort | Picts of Scotland | Kilmartin | Argyle & Bute | Prehistoric Britain | Before Caledonia

A Journey Through Scotland's Ancient Sites.
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Dunadd Fort | Kilmartin | Argyle & Bute | Scotland
Dunadd Fort is one of the most important early medieval sites in Scotland. From the top of the fort is stunning views around Argyle over to the Isles of Arran and Jura. Dunadd is situated at the south of Kilmartin’s prehistoric complex. This ancient ancestral landscape was obviously extremely important to our ancient ancestors.
Take a walk up the steep hill in the footsteps of Kings, Merchants, Saints, Diplomats and Traders. Pass through the rock cut entrance and enter Dunadd’s inner sanctum. Explore the ancient carvings and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic scenery with the River Add meandering around the fort.
In the Iron age circa 400BC the fortified farmstead was created and evolved into a well established fortress. One millennium later Dunadd became the beating heart of the first Scottish kingdom. Aengus a Pictish warlord took control of Dunadd in 736AD, scholars believe it may never have regained its independence and became a ceremonial centre to maintain control over Dal Riata the Gaelic Royal Centre.
The major features at the site were ramparts to defend and impress, according to legend a well rose and fell with the tide, remnants of building and the site of a citadel which may have been a vast courtyard or feasting hall.
The best known feature at Dunadd is ‘The Inaguration Stone’ a size six foot print was carved into the stone where Kings placed there foot to be inagurated. This was betrothing themselves to the land that supplied food to there people. Records claim the stone proclaims and recognises the rightful King. Six of these foot carvings can also be found in Ireland.
The stone was laser scanned in 2009 for academic study and as a digital record for conservation. This scan revealed the carvings in unprecedented detail. The outcrop has been preserved under a concrete replica since the 1970’s.
Other carvings are Ogham script which was used up until the 11th century, a Pictish carving of a Boar, a second footprint and a basin to the left of the stone.
A legend says a hero Ossian leapt to Dunadd from Rhudle Hill 1km away, his foot gouged out the footprint and his knee the basin while his outstretched hands left fingermarks which is possibly the Ogham script.
Dal Riata’s Kings ruled from Dunadd and their descendants became Scotland’s first King’s. There people were known as Scotti and became the first Scot’s. The Gales language dominated most of Scotland and is still spoken today but much declined.
Excavations took place in 1904-05, James Hewat Craw led a team in 1929, four small trenches were dug in 1980-81 and revealed 7th century metal working and Dunadd’s Iron Age origins.
A carved stone ball from around 2000BC was found, these are common in north east Scotland and is now on display in the Kilmartin House Museum. A local legend states that other artefacts with magical powers along with the stone ball were abandoned by fairies below the fort in a farm house.
Archaeologists came across gold, silver, copper lead and iron working with over nine hundred mould fragments mostly for making brooches. Dunnad was one of the most significant workshops in Europe. The brooches were manufactured for the King to distribute to his followers as badges of rank and loyalty. Imported glass beads were also found.
Dunadd Fort is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is signposted from the A816 road. The fort is located between Lochgilphead and Kilmartin village. The local area has a plethora of prehistoric remains to visit which include, rock art, standing stones and cairns.
A HUGE thanks to our ancient ancestors.
Infinite Perspective by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
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[@1202veramu]

♥

[@BeforeCaledonia]

Thanks Vera, hope you enjoyed the video, Martin.

[@1202veramu]

@@BeforeCaledonia It is amazing to see this area under snow cover when I remember it in the middle of summer :)

[@BeforeCaledonia]

I took this footage at the beginning of February a few years ago.

[@MalcolmMcNeill-kk2cq]

Thankyou for your video about dunadd ime so interested in the fort