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Dumbarrow Hill is a dun situated 230 metres east-north-east of Hillkirk in Angus, Scotland. This Iron Age fortified homestead occupies bedrock composed of Silurian to Devonian extrusive rocks, primarily mafic lava and tuff formed during the Devonian period. The volcanic geology of the site has weathered into a landscape characteristic of Angus's upland margins, providing defensible high ground typical of dun construction in Iron Age Scotland.
Duns were substantial stone-built circular or oval structures with timber elements, serving as defended residences for elite families during the Iron Age and early medieval periods. Dumbarrow Hill exemplifies this settlement type, positioned to command local territory and resources. The site's location on ancient volcanic bedrock reflects the Iron Age builders' practical understanding of local geology, selecting naturally elevated and defensible terrain.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under scheduled monument reference SM3076. Like other duns across northern Britain, Dumbarrow Hill represents a significant phase of Iron Age settlement and social organisation, when such fortified homesteads marked the homes of high-status individuals within their communities. The site's survival offers potential for understanding domestic life and territorial control in Iron Age Angus.
Dumbarrow Hill, dun 230m ENE of Hillkirk is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3076. View the official record →
Dumbarrow Hill is a dun situated 230 metres east-north-east of Hillkirk in Angus, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3076.
Dumbarrow Hill, dun 230m ENE of Hillkirk dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a dun 230m ene of hillkirk. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Dumbarrow Hill, dun 230m ENE of Hillkirk is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM3076.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Friock Mains, pit alignment 270m WNW of (3.6 km), Cairn Knap,cairn (4.3 km), West Mains of Colliston,enclosure 300m WNW of (5.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Dumbarrow Hill, dun 230m ENE of Hillkirk's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Dumbarrow Hill, dun 230m ENE of Hillkirk stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Silurian To Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Devonian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.