Dùn Naomhaig - Fort of the Galleys

Dùn Naomhaig, the Fort of the Galleys. Or Dunyvaig in English, is located on the south side of Islay on Lagavulin Bay.

It is still possible to view the remains of what was originally a 12th century fort which was the naval base of the Lords of the Isles who ruled the entire west of Scotland from their base at Finlaggan in Islay. The property was forfeited to the Crown after the abolition of the Lordship in 1493 and eventually came into the ownership of the Campbells of Cawdor who came to own the island.

The property was eventually abandoned by them and all that remains visible are the ruins of the fort dating back predominantly to the 16th Century. Islay Heritage, a local charity, has carried out extensive archaeological excavations on the site and more fascinating details can be found on their website.

More information on visiting the area can be found here.