Dunagoil Iron Age hill fort, Bute

On our recent paddle back from Arran, we made landfall under the magnificently situated Dunagoil hill fort. Although man has been on Bute for 6,000 years, the fort dates from the Iron Age, about 2,500 years ago. The vitrified walls can be seen on the crest of the hill. The stones that compose the walls of the fort have been intensely heated until they have melted together. There is a similar vitrified fort on Eilean Buidhe, one of the Burnt Islands in the Kyles of Bute. Strangely, there are no vitrified forts in England or Wales.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered many artifacts which were used by the people who lived here. These included tools and moulds for the manufacture of iron weapons but also included more peaceful items such as weaving combs and jewellery.