DUN SHIADER – DÙN SHIADAIR
A DRAMATIC IRON AGE FORT (from Hynish)
Dun Shiader sits on a conspicuous rocky crag on the southwest coast offering spectacular 360-degree views out to the Atlantic and along the rugged coastline. It is one of the best examples of the more than twenty Iron Age fortresses on our island. From Dùn na Cleite, we pass Buirean Schnoig, the roar of the Snòig, a booming marine geyser and will look out for the rock shelter where worked flints have been found. The oval dry-stone fort has an impressive causeway and original outer walls remaining up to 1m high, with Leabaidh an Fuamhaire (the Giant’s Bed) nearby. The site’s elevation and steep cliffs—reaching up to 14.5m—provide a sense of how Tiree’s early inhabitants used the landscape for defence … and a place to hoard Viking silver.
Start / End: Add on to the Hynish village to Dùn na Cleite walk.
Hynish Trust offer excellent walks and information around the Hynish Lighthouse Shore Station and don’t forget to call into Alan Stevenson House or Big Sky Books.
Park and Meet: Alan Stevenson House/Hynish complex.
Walking Distance: ~4–5 km (round trip) following the coastal path – 2 hours.
Terrain: Moderate. Includes coastal tracks and grassy slopes that can be rocky and uneven near the crag.
Special note: The site is exposed and wind and rain can move in quickly, so we will keep a close eye on the forecast before and during the walk. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss the walk’s suitability for you.