The right bank of the River Laggan holds Dun Nosebridge, an Islay fort whose name may blend Gaelic and Norse. It is an Iron Age fort, a defended place from the later prehistoric period, south-east of Bridgend.
The name is part of the interest. One explanation combines Gaelic dun, fort, with Old Norse knaus-borg, fort on the crag; another suggests a Norse phrase meaning turf fort.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Dun Nosebridge is an Iron Age fort south-east of Bridgend on Islay.
The fort stands on the right bank of the River Laggan.
The name may combine Gaelic dun, meaning fort, and Old Norse knaus-borg, meaning fort on the crag.
Another possible origin is Norse hnaus-bog, meaning turf fort.
Dun Nosebridge is a designated scheduled monument.
Connections
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Islay
Island setting of the fort.
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Bridgend
Settlement north-west of the fort.
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Photo: Mary and Angus Hogg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 River Laggan
The fort stands on its right bank.
What to look for
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River-bank setting
The fort's source description places it beside the River Laggan.
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Layered place-name
The name preserves possible Gaelic and Norse elements.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 55.7628°N · 6.1920°W
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
Check locally before travelling
- The fort stands by the River Laggan, but the source does not state access arrangements.
Nearby places
Building or ruin · Medieval
Finlaggan, Eilean Mor
Argyll and Bute
In the first half of the 7th century a monastic community was established on Eilean Mor, the largest of the three islands in Loch Finlaggan — eithe…
- Near Port Askaig
- 520 metres from car park
- Some walking
Tomb or burial place · Pictish & early medieval
Kildalton Cross and Chapel
Argyll and Bute
The high cross was carved probably in the second half of the 8th century AD, in a workshop tradition closely related to the contemporary crosses on…
- Near Port Ellen
- 1 min walk from car park
- Easy path
Questions people ask
- What is Dun Nosebridge?
- It is an Iron Age fort south-east of Bridgend on Islay.
- Where does the name come from?
- The source suggests Gaelic dun plus Old Norse knaus-borg, or possibly Norse hnaus-bog.
- Is Dun Nosebridge scheduled?
- Yes. It is a designated scheduled monument.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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