Sound of Mull may have had a system of look-outs to warn of invaders

Look-out points may have once dotted the Sound of Mull's coastline to warn communities of approaching invaders, a researcher has suggested.

The sound is a long channel of sea between the Isle of Mull and the Highlands' Morvern Peninsula.

Dr Shane McLeod said there was "good evidence" Orkney had a chain of beacons in the early 12th Century, and suggests the Sound of Mull had a similar system.

The Perth-based academic said clues to this included Gaelic place-names containing the words "teine" (fire) and "faire" (watch/sentinel).

The look-outs would have had beacons made from wood, tar and peat which would be set on fire to warn of invaders, such as Vikings.

The research has been published in the journal Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Dr McLeod, a post-doctoral research associate at UHI Perth's Institute for Northern Studies, said: "The sites were look-out points to look over water for ships or boats.

"In some instances, this could be just for a ferry, but in others it could be to look out for a potential invasion fleet."

He said the early warning system would have given people time to gather together defenders and hide valuables.

The first look-out guard to spot the invaders would have lit their beacon alerting others in the chain to light theirs'.

Dr McLeod said: "Some of the sites could have been used at various times over the centuries when needed."

He said if there had been a coordinated chain of beacons this would likely have been created in the late to mid 12th Century during the reigns of Somerled and his sons.

Somerled was a leader of mixed Norse and Gaelic descent who commanded islands from the Butt of Lewis to the Isle of Man.

The best surviving example of one of these look-outs is Carn na Faire - Cairn of the Watch - on Gigha, said Dr McLeod.

He added: "Walkers keep adding and taking stones from the cairn, but it is thought to have originally been about 9.5m in diameter and 70cm high.

"This would make it suitable as a beacon stance, like the one found on Ward Hill, Shapinsay, Orkney.

"Mostly, it is just the place-names that survive, providing clues about the sites past use."