Period: Bronze Age

Arka Unskel hillfort, Highlands

Arka Unskel is 2½ miles ESE of Arisaig at NM693839 and has also been known as Arisaig Fort, Ard Ghaunsgoik and Ard Ghamhgail. Described as on a promontory on the north side of Loch nan Uamh with a heavily vitrified wall.

Classification of Vitrified Forts

Very vitrified. Possibly part of the pictish fort that was here.

Archaeologists have suggested ways to organise the very varied “vitrified forts” into formal classes – especially schemes that distinguish forts by how much and what kind of vitrification their ramparts show. Below is a digest of the main classification ideas that have been proposed in the literature and how researchers actually use them in field reports and laboratory work.

L’enigme des forts vitrifies

Wincobank Hillfort, Sheffield

C’est lors d’un voyage en Ecosse, au cours de l’été 1997, que nous avons entendu parler pour la première fois de forts vitrifiés. C’était au château d’Urqhart, au sud d’Inverness. Les monuments historiques fermant tôt, dans ce pays, nous ne pûmes voir que de loin cette impressionnante forteresse en ruine du XIIe siècle qui domine la rive occidentale du Loch Ness. Nous nous contentâmes juste de faire des photos au téléobjectif depuis le parking et de lire les panneaux retraçant l’historique du site.

Mystery of Vitrified Forts

Urqhart Castle

It was during a trip to.Scotland, in the Summer of 1997, that I first heard of vitrified hillforts. It was near Urqhart Castle, south of Inverness. As ancient monuments close early in that country, I could only see from a distance that impressive ruined fortress overlooking the west bank of Loch Ness.

The Vitrified Forts of the British Isles and Europe

Tap O Noth LiDAR 1m - Thanks to the National Library of Scotland

This page is the “collection centre” for our research into vitrified forts, covering the area largely known as the British Isles.

Contact Us
close slider