Garrabost: Archaeology and Mill History

Archaeological monuments, distinctive landforms, and the history of Garrabost Mill offer different themes for a stay in Garrabost. For planning your trip, the location of Dun Mor, the dates of the stone monuments, and the mill’s current visitor status are relevant.

Dun Mor: Terrain and Date

Dun Mor stands on a natural hill whose north and east sides drop steeply to the sea. The site can be reached safely only from the southeast. This orientation matters when considering the location of the dun: the two steep sides and the safe approach from the southeast are among the hill’s key features.

Dun Mor is a dun that was probably fortified in the late Iron Age. Settlement may have continued into the early Middle Ages. The dating is not equally certain: the fortification is considered probable, while continued settlement is only possible. This describes the historical interpretation without treating the suspected later use as certain.

Dursainean Chambered Cairn and Clach Ghlas

Dursainean Chambered Cairn is a Neolithic chambered cairn on a low hill overlooking Garrabost. Its date differs markedly from the probable late Iron Age fortification of Dun Mor. Anyone interested in the archaeological monuments can distinguish between these two different historical classifications rather than treating the sites as evidence of the same period.

The circular route to Dursainean Chambered Cairn also includes Clach Ghlas, on the bank of the small Allt na Muilne stream. The triangular standing stone is 1.7 metres high and stands on a mound that is 2 metres high and 30 metres long. These measurements refer to two different things: 1.7 metres describes the stone, while the larger height and length measurements describe the mound. Together with its location by the stream, these details identify Clach Ghlas as a distinct point on the circular route.

The History of Garrabost Mill

In 1893, Lady Matheson granted land at Alt-na-Gall in Garrabost for the construction of a mill intended to benefit the local crofters in Point. Garrabost Mill was built to process the barley and oats grown by local crofters. It milled these crops for the local crofting communities and operated commercially from 1893 to 1956. These dates set the mill’s operation within a clear timeframe; its current visitor status should be considered separately.

Garrabost Mill is currently being restored as a historic visitor attraction and is currently closed to the public. If you are considering a visit, check before travelling whether its visitor status has changed. This distinguishes the mill’s history from whether a visit is currently possible.

Routes and Bus Information

The Garrabost Archaeology Walk follows roads, paths, and trackless moorland, which is very boggy in places. Ground conditions can change with the weather. Take this change in terrain into account when planning and check conditions locally.

For W5 bus services between Stornoway and Point, the council publishes an overview of single adult fares. The document is dated 13 April 2026 and lists Garrabost PO and U Garrabost as stops. Check current service details before travelling. This lets you put the fare overview in context without treating it as a current journey timetable.

Discover more destinations: Stornoway, Borve.

Return to the regional travel overview: Hebrides.