Discover Struan

Archaeological sites and their landscape

A trip to Struan can be planned with a focus on culture and history. Archaeological highlights include the Iron Age broch Dun Beag, Fort Dun Mor in Struanmore, which is designated as a Scheduled Monument, and the Struanmore chambered cairn, also designated as a Scheduled Monument. The historic cemetery in Struan at Loch Harport adds a personal story of remembrance to these themes. Struan Church and a short walk with views of the Cuillin Ridge also appeal to different interests. This lets you decide in advance whether archaeological structures, local history, or landscape should be your main focus.

Dun Beag is an Iron Age broch overlooking Loch Bracadale. The site stands on a rocky hill that slopes down towards the loch. Both the structure’s form and its relationship to the landscape are important to understanding it. The combination of the broch, rocky hill, and sloping ground gives Dun Beag a different character from Dun Mor on its plateau above the surrounding moorland. When comparing the two sites, you can therefore consider the different relationships between archaeological structures and their surroundings.

Dun Mor and the chambered cairn

Dun Mor is a fort in Struanmore designated as a Scheduled Monument, overlooking Dun Beag from a plateau above the surrounding moorland. The ruins stand on the summit plateau and form a quadrangular enclosure. It measures about 175 feet from northwest to southeast and about 140 feet from northeast to southwest on the inside. These measurements refer to the interior of the enclosure and give a sense of its quadrangular ground plan. Alongside its relationship to the landscape around Dun Beag, Dun Mor can also be understood in terms of its described form and scale.

The Struanmore chambered cairn is also designated as a Scheduled Monument. Its name points to a different type of monument from Fort Dun Mor: a burial monument rather than a fortification. If you are particularly interested in fortifications or burial sites, you can consider these separately when planning your trip. Both names refer to Struanmore, but represent different archaeological themes.

Cemetery, church, and views

John Norman Collie was buried beside John Mackenzie at the old cemetery in Struan at Loch Harport. The site adds a story about specific people and a remembrance of their shared burial place to the archaeological monuments. This is a different way of engaging with local history than considering a broch, fort, or chambered cairn: here, the focus is on the two names and their burial. Services are held at Struan Church at 11 a.m. If you plan to attend a service, check the service schedule before your visit.

A short walk leads to panoramic views of the Cuillin Ridge. This gives your trip a clear landscape dimension alongside its historic sites. Those primarily interested in archaeological structures will focus on different things from visitors who also want to enjoy a panoramic view. The walk thus offers another perspective for planning your time in the area.

To choose what interests you on your trip, consider the differences: the broch, fort, and chambered cairn represent different archaeological themes, while the walk offers views of the Cuillin Ridge. The service time is a practical consideration if you want to include Struan Church in your trip. If Struan fits your plans, look for hotels for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Whitefield, Drumnadrochit, Dornie, Invergordon, Strathpeffer, Golspie, Greshornish, John o' Groats

For the broader travel overview: Highland.