Drawing on archaeological evidence, documents, and oral histories, Dr Emily Gal discusses what we know about the fascinating site at Dùn an Sticir in North Uist, and how it has been reimagined through digital technologies in the Uist Unearthed app
Over 2,000 years ago in the Iron Age, a broch on an islet towered against the water of Loch an Sticir, North Uist, in the Outer Hebrides. Over 1,000 years later, at the height of the Lordship of the Isles in the 14th century, a grand medieval hall was built into its ruins. Drawing on archaeological evidence, documents and oral histories, Dr Emily Gal discusses what we know about the fascinating site at Dùn an Sticir, and how it has been reimagined through digital technologies in the Uist Unearthed app.
Dùn an Sticir
The impressive remains of Dùn an Sticir are located on a small islet within Loch an Sticir in North Uist. The site is reached by traversing three well-preserved causeways separated by two islets – the larger known as ‘Eilean na Mì-Chomhairle’ or ‘Isle of the Bad Counsel’. On reaching the site, the lower courses of the circular broch walls can still be clearly seen. The remains of the rectangular hall nestle within these walls. The path leading to the hall’s entrance includes stone from the earlier broch, including the enormous broch lintel. Why might the broch have been reused in this way? Perhaps it was the site’s proximity to Port nan Long (Newtonferry), the main landing point for travel to and from Lewis and Harris during the medieval period. The ready-made source of stone is also likely to have been a factor, as well as the site’s significance as a monument from more ancient times.
The date of the hall’s construction is not clear, but most likely took place during the height of the lordship of the Isles – in the 13th and 14th centuries. Strongholds and halls were built across the Hebrides in this time, including Borve Castle (Caisteal Bhuirgh) in Benbecula and Kisimul Castle (Caisteal Chiosmail) in Barra. Many of these high-status dwellings retained their importance even after the Lordship was seized by the Scottish crown in 1493, which was to signal a period of unrest and instability across the Hebrides. Although Dùn an Sticir has not been excavated, it was investigated by Scottish textile manufacturer, historian and antiquarian Erskine Beveridge at the beginning of the 20th century. Beveridge considered the site to be one of the most important of its type in North Uist, with his account of the site providing detailed plans, dime
