It is situated on a steep-sided hill called Doune rising to approximately 266 metres (873 ft) above ordnance datum just south of Dulsie Bridge (which provides a modern crossing of the River Findhorn) in the parish of Ardclach.

[1][2] The site commands uninterrupted views in all directions of the valley of the Findhorn including towards the pass of Streens in the west, which leads to upper Strath Dearn.

[1][3] The modern name, which is shared by a nearby farm[2] is from the Scottish Gaelic, Dùn Éireann meaning "Hill(fort) on the Findhorn".

[8] Dunearn is one of a group of larger, more open, structures such as Craig Phadrig, which is thought to have been constructed in the 4th Century CE[9][a] and Ord Hill of Kessock, both to the west near modern-day Inverness.

[13] It is thought that the relatively level summit of the hill was farmed for many years until 1906, including ploughing and it is likely that the stone remains of the fortification are "slight" as a result.