Overview
Dunearn is a hill fort located south south east of Nairn in Highland, Scotland. It is situated on a steep-sided hill called Doune rising to approximately above ordnance datum just south of Dulsie Bridge (which provides a modern crossing of the River Findhorn) in the parish of Ardclach. The site commands uninterrupted views in all directions of the valley of the Findhorn including towards the pass of Streens in the west, which leads to upper Strath Dearn.
Etymology
The modern name, which is shared by a nearby farm Although Gaelic in origin the derivation of the name of the River Findhorn itself is not absolutely clear. Watson (1926) states that it is derived from Fionn Èire, meaning "white Ireland" which "doubtless refers to the white sands of the estuary". The dative Èireann gave rise to the use of the anglified 'earn' or 'erne' in other local names such as Invererne, Cullerne and Earnhill.
Structure
The slopes up to the fort are steep from all directions save the west. The summit is S-shaped and was surrounded by two parallel walls The visual evidence of the inner rampart is simply scattered stones and boulders along with some evidence of vitrification, suggesting that the fort may have been burned at some point in its history. The outer wall lies about beyond the inner and is a "mere crest-line, dotted rather sparsely with stones and boulders".
Local comparisons
Dunearn is one of a group of larger, more open, structures such as Craig Phadrig, which is thought to have been constructed in the 4th Century CE lower down the Findhorn valley and Dun Evan and Castle Finlay in the Nairn valley. in Forres, which extends to was confirmed in 2017.
Modern uses
It is thought that the relatively level summit of the hill was farmed for many years until 1906, including ploughing and it is likely that the stone remains of the fortification are "slight" as a result. An artillery base was established in the fort during the Second World War.
Bibliography
* * Feachem, R. (1963b) A guide to prehistoric Scotland. 1st. London. Page(s): 140 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.2.FEA * Isaksen, Leif (2017) The Hilltop Enclosure on Cluny Hill, Forres description, destruction, disappearance". Lancaster University. Retrieved 28 May 2018. * * Watson, W. J. (1994) The Celtic Place-Names of Scotland. Edinburgh. Birlinn. . First published 1926.