A forested hill above Inverness hides vitrified fort walls among the trees. Craig Phadrig is a hillfort, a defended hilltop enclosure, with vitrified stonework where intense heat fused parts of the wall into glassy material.
The summit fort is often linked with the Pictish king Bridei mac Maelchon and with the visit of St Columba around 565, although the identification is not universally accepted. Radiocarbon dates from the 1970s suggest the inner wall was built in the fourth century, while excavation found seventh-century Pictish occupation evidence including metal-working implements and French pottery.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
The inner wall of Craig Phadrig fort was probably constructed in the fourth century, according to radiocarbon dates obtained in the 1970s.
The fort was later occupied in the Pictish period, with finds including metal-working implements and French pottery from the seventh century.
Adomnan's Life of Columba records encounters between Columba and the Pictish king Bridei around 565.
Craig Phadrig is commonly assumed to be the place where Columba visited Bridei, though other sites have also been suggested.
The hill is now owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, and the fort is a scheduled monument.
People
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Bridei mac Maelchon
Pictish king often associated with the fort.
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Portrait: MrsEllacott / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 St Columba
Missionary traditionally linked with a visit to Bridei around 565.
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Adomnan
Author of the Life of Columba, which records encounters with Bridei.
Connections
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Inverness
City on the eastern edge of the hill.
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Beauly Firth
Water overlooked from Craig Phadrig.
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Photo: Dg-505 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 Forestry and Land Scotland
Owner and manager of the hill.
What to look for
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Vitrified wall
Fire-affected stonework creating glass-like material.
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Inner enclosure
Wall line defining the summit fort.
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Outer wall and hornwork
Additional defences beyond the inner wall.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.4770°N · 4.2690°W
- Access
- Open access
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
- Forested hill owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland.
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- Near Inverness
- 149 metres from car park
- Easy path
Questions people ask
- What is Craig Phadrig?
- It is a forested hill at Inverness with a vitrified hillfort on its summit.
- What does vitrified fort mean?
- It means parts of the stone wall were affected by intense heat and fused into glassy material.
- Is it definitely Bridei's fort?
- No. The source pack says this is commonly assumed but not universally accepted.
- Who manages the hill today?
- Forestry and Land Scotland owns and manages Craig Phadrig.
Sources
Explore more: Fortified places · Iron Age · Highland
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