Dun Ara
Description
Dun Ara was a stronghold of the MacKinnon clan who held the land here from 1354 onwards. The castle was still in use until the 17th century when it was abandoned. The castle was probably built on the site of a previous Dun or fort. The castle had a surrounding wall protecting a central keep or building on the main outcrop of rock. The location was valuable as it protected a harbour of boat landing as well.
The castle was fortified by enclosing the entire rock summit with a curtain-wall of stone and lime, which varies from about 1.3 m to 1.8 m in thickness. It is best preserved on the north-east side, where it rises to a maximum height of 1.8 m, but little remains on the south-west and south-east sides. The masonry was built with coarse, lime mortar, much of it has washed out of the facework giving it the appearance of dry-stone walling. It is possible that in places the lower courses of masonry pre-date the medieval castle and belong to an earlier fort that occupied the same site. The entrance is on the south-east side.