Dun Eistein Photos

Photos of Dun Eistein

Ancient Stronghold of the Clan Morrison

By Doug Criner and Sarah Morrison Criner

Photo 1 - View, looking essentially north from the upper-loop hard road, toward the rough gravel road leading through a pasture to Dun Eistein. Note the small, easy-to-miss, white sign labeled "Dun Eistein." Laundry is hanging out to dry at the very left in the photo, just above the horizon. A farmhouse is directly to the left, outside of this photo.

Photo 2 - Taken from near the end of the gravel farm road, approaching Dun Eistein, looking northeast. The Atlantic Ocean is visible in the background. The green pedestrian bridge over the chasm is the small rectangular shape in the center, just below the horizon. A small pile of rocks on Dun Eistein is just barely visible toward the right, just above the horizon.

Photo 3 - The deep, sheer chasm separating Dun Eistein (to the left) from the Lewis mainland (to the right). Viewed from the east side of the pedestrian bridge. The depth of the chasm is estimated to be about 95 ft. Before the recently built bridge, access to Dun Eistein would have required rock climbing and, depending upon tidal conditions, hopping across the water at the bottom. The isolation would have made Dun Eistein a strong defensive position from land- or sea-based attacks.

Photo 4 - The top of Dun Eistein comprises a small meadow, perhaps just few acres. This pile of rocks, presumably assembled in recent times from the remains of "Hugh's Castle" (probably not a real castle, just a small stronghold or fortress), is the only visible indication of Dun Eistein's legendary occupation by the Clan Morrison. There are no plaques or other monuments at the site.

Photo 5 - The pedestrian bridge, erected several years ago by the Clan Morrison, looking back from Dun Eistein toward the Lewis mainland. The depth and ruggedness of the chasm spanned by the bridge cannot be appreciated until one is at the precipice or on the bridge. Our taxi is parked on the mainland side. The small, square object visible on the horizon, to the left of the bridge, is the water tower that is a useful landmark in finding the gravel road leading to Dun Eistein. The pasture in the background was being used for cattle and sheep.