Reproduced courtesy of RCAHMS (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Collection)	early investigations Dùn Èistean was first mentioned by Martin Martin in 1696, who describes it as a ‘natural fort’. More than 150 years later the Ordnance Survey surveyors visited Lewis and recorded Dùn Èistean in their Name Books, but the archaeological history of the island can be said to begin with Capt F W L Thomas’ description of the site and compendium of folklore published in 1890. Thomas reported observations made by the Revd Malcolm MacPhail who investigated the site in 1866: …it is a flat, cliffy island, of a somewhat oval shape, about 75 yards long and 50 yards broad; separated from the mainland by a narrow and perpendicular ravine, through which the sea flows at high water. The ravine is between 30 and 40 feet broad, and the same height. The remains of a strong wall follow the edge of the cliff on the landward side of the island, through which it is said there had been squints or loopholes for observation and defence. Towards the north-east corner are the ruins of a dun, sometimes called ‘Tigh nan Arm’, or the House of Arms; now but 4 1/2 feet high. The outside of the dun is an oblong square, 23 by 18 feet; but the central area is of an oval shape, only 6 ½ by 4 ½ feet, there is no appearance of any doorway (1890, 365). MacPhail’s notes, sketches and correspondence with Thomas are studied in Robson 2004 and copies of this correspondence can be seen at 10 Callicvol. MacPhails’s original sketch is archived in the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland, in Edinburgh. Following this, the next archaeological description of Dùn Èistean is in the RCAHMS Inventory published in 1928. This resulted in the site being protected by law as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, now monitored by Historic Scotland. The site was again surveyed in June 1969 by the Ordnance Survey, and in 1997 it was identified as being under threat from coastal erosion by a survey conducted for Historic Scotland (Burgess & Church 1997, 281-2). However, perhaps the most valuable modern contribution towards an appreciation of the island’s archaeological potential consists of a superb, oblique aerial photograph. The archaeological features show particularly well, in part because of the excellent lighting conditions but also because the island was grazed, which kept the grass shorter. Although enquiries were made at the major archaeological aerial photographic archives is it still unknown who took or when the photograph was taken. The island was last grazed intensively in the 1980s and so the photograph must be at least 20 years old. It featured in an exhibition held in the 1980s by the Lewis and Harris Museum Society in Stornoway, and is now held by Museum nan Eilean. recent work In 1999 the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, the Clan Morrison Society and the Western Isles Archaeologist established a project committee to initiate investigation of the site with a view to its interpretation and presentation to the public, and its protection from further deterioration. As a result of this Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) were commissioned to do a detailed topographical survey in 2000 (Barrowman & Driscoll 2000), followed in 2001 by geophysical surveys, and evaluation excavations (Barrowman 2002). The excavation and survey team accessed the site using climbing and rope access techniques to get personnel and excavation equipment to and from the site In 2001 fund-raising by the Clan Morrison Society in the USA, the UK and further afield, succeeded in raising enough money to commission the building of a steel footbridge across the ravine to the island from the mainland side, in time for the Clan Morrison Gathering on the Isle of Lewis planned for the following summer. In 2002 GUARD conducted excavations of two trenches in advance of the construction of the footings of the bridge to the island (Barrowman 2003). This work was funded by the Clan Morrison Society and Historic Scotland. A year later, in 2003, a week’s excavation was undertaken on behalf of the BBC Time Fliers television series, in Structure A (Macleod forthcoming). The survey, and more particularly the geophysical investigation, revealed more extensive structural remains than had previously been described. Evaluation of selected features to determine the depth, extent and complexity of the archaeological deposits confirmed, to everyone's surprise, Thomas' identification of the stone mound (Tigh nan Arm, structure G) as an 'incipient keep'. The geophysical survey suggested, however, the presence of an underlying circular or sub-circular structure. The bridge excavations also revealed structural remains invisible on the surface. Finds from the excavations, despite their limited extent, confirmed the high status nature of the site, with German and English imported mediaeval pottery present in addition to large amounts of fine, handmade, local wares. Excavations in 2003 directed by the Western Isles archaeologist, Dr Mary Macleod, although limited, uncovered the latest occupation layer in Structure A, which included sherds of local, hand-made pottery, imported glass and a peat hearth.

Links to previous reports:- 2000 2001