Dùn an Achaidh

[1] Dun an Achaidh takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic An t-Achadh, which translates into English as "the field".

[3] Dùn an Achaidh sits atop a rocky ridge which is 22 metres (72 ft) high above the surrounding land which is drained by Allt a' Mhuilinn (translates into English as "the stream of the mill").

[5] Beveridge suggested that it was very likely that several of the duns of Coll, and the nearby island of Tiree, were occupied by the Norse during the Viking Age.

[6] In 1587, atrocities committed between warring west highland clans had escalated to such an extent that the Scottish parliament devised what is known as the General Band, in an effort to quell hostilities.

[7] One of the lists drawn up was titled "The roll of the names of the landislordis and baillies of landis in the hielandis an isles, quhair brokin men hes duelt and presentlie duellis".

[6] Beveridge wrote that it was said, locally on Coll, that Samuel Johnson visited Dùn an Achaidh during his tour of the Hebrides.

However, Beveridge noted neither Johnson, nor James Boswell, made mention of visiting any of the duns on the island.

The story was that the local islanders revolted under his tyranny and attacked the dun at night; setting fire to it and routed the Norse occupiers.

The tradition is that on this height or short ridge, which itself is a natural castle, there was a fort-the stronghold of a Norseman, son of Olaf or Anlamh, and that it was set fire to.