#dunadd

[thesilicontribesman]

Early Medieval Mudstone Carved Plaque from Dunadd, Kilmartin Museum, Kilmartin Glen, Argyll, Scotland

A plaque of mudstone incised with images of deer, eagles, and complex knotwork interlace based on the shape of the cross. It is perforated near the top, with wear suggesting it was suspended on a cord for a long period of time. Its art style suggests a tenth-century date, and it is one of the latest artefacts from the site.

[verecunda]

Sleet was still spitting down the wind, but the yellow bar of a low dawn edged the eastern sky, and as Phaedrus mounted the Crowning Stone, and with his left foot on the hide of the King Horse, set his right into the deep-cut footprint that had held the right foot of every king of the Dalriads since first they came from Erin across the Western Sea, the first sunlight struck the high snow-filled corries of distant Cruachan. Gault brought the spear of Lugh, and put it into his hand in place of the other that he had brought with him from the Place of Life. Conory knotted the sheath thongs of the King’s sword to his belt. Now they were loosening the bindings of the stallion head-dress, lifting it away. Tuathal the High Priest was standing on the horse-hide beside him, holding up a narrow circlet of fiery pale gold that caught the morning light for an instant in a ripple of white fire, like the leaves of the white aspen when they blow up against the sun. Phaedrus bent his head to receive it, felt it pressed down on to his brows. The bronze Sun Trumpets were sounding again; the deep earthshaking note booming out over the marshes and the hills and the high moors, to be caught up from somewhere on the very edge of hearing, and passed on, carrying the word from end to end of Earra-Ghyl that there was a Horse Lord again in Dun Monaidh. - The Mark of the Horse Lord, Rosemary Sutcliff

[on-misty-mountains]

Dunadd Hillfort, Argyll

This hillfort is pretty impressive as it is, but it also has a special slab with a footprint. This slab is one of the reasons why people visit Dunadd Hillfort. It is associated with the Kings of the Scots tribe Dal Riata and their inauguration ceremony, which according to legend involved the new King stepping into the 'footstep' of his predecessors. What you see nowadays is a cast though, so you don't have to be worried about wearing down something of historical importance. It's still a fun thing to step into that foot shape. I did it and it was precisely the size of my boot. As with the previous day of our holiday, there was a firm grasp of fog and low cloud and particularly early in the morning when we were there, the landscape around the fort was simply non-existent. We still got a pretty good idea. There is an upper level with a citadel at the top and the King's stone slightly below. And there is a lower level with remains of buildings, a wall and a well. There's a natural (or not) break in the rock, which leads in and out of the lower level. A perfect bottleneck for defending the fort. There's parking right next to the fort and it's only 5 to 10 min to get up there. So visiting Dunadd is a no-brainer when in Argyll. 

Head over to Youtube for a video of me visiting this fort and other places in Argyll.

[thesilicontribesman]

Dunadd Ancient Fort, nr. Lochgilphead, Argyll

[thesilicontribesman]

Dunadd Ancient Fort, nr. Lochgilphead, Argyll

[thesilicontribesman]

Anglo-Saxon and Scottish Brooch, The National Museum of Scotland. This is a truly unique item and one designed to show the special status of the wearer. Likely worn at the Scottish court and hillfort of Dunadd, this intricate item is unsurpassed in its size and level of detail. The maker was very familiar with design motifs from Scotland and the Anglo-Saxon world, 24.2.17.

[nosasblog]

A NOSAS visit to Kilmartin, March 2026

by Anji Hancock In Saudi, Paul and I were regular explorers in the desert near where we lived. During our explorations we were blessed with finding numerous panels of rock art. One of the many panels of petroglyphs we found in the desert. Our desert trips will always be special times for us, and finding those panels of rock art always filled me with so much joy. Imagine my excitement when our…

A NOSAS visit to Kilmartin, March 2026

[smellofwater]

Ballymeanoch & Dunadd

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