Dunbeg

For the Iron Age fort in County Kerry, Ireland, see Dunbeg Fort. For the village in County Clare, see Doonbeg.

Dunbeg (Scottish Gaelic: An Dùn Beag), formerly known as Dunstaffnage (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Stafhainis^[2] or Dùn Staidhinis^[3]), is a village about 2+1⁄2 miles (4 km) outside of Oban, Scotland.^[4][5] It has a population of just under 1,000. It is home to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), one of the primary marine science centres in the UK. Also near Dunbeg is Dunstaffnage Castle, part of the Campbell Clan and is owned by the Captain of Dunstaffnage.

Dunbeg Scottish Gaelic: An Dùn Beag
Scottish Association of Marine Sciences labs
Dunbeg Location within Argyll and Bute
Population	720 (2020)[1]
OS grid reference	NM881334
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy area	Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	OBAN
Postcode district	PA37
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Scottish Parliament	Argyll and Bute
List of places UK Scotland 56.44583°N 5.44281°W / 56.44583; -5.44281

Archaeology

Archaeological excavations in 2010, by Argyll Archaeology, in advance of the development of the European Marine Science Park found evidence that people were also living in the area from the Neolithic to the Early Historic periods. The archaeologists discovered funerary pyres, and an infant burial, that were in use for several generations during the Late Iron Age and a farmstead in use sometime between the late 7th to 9th centuries AD. The end of activity on the site roughly coincides with documented attacks on Iona by Norse invaders in 795, 802, 806 and 825. A Norse presence in the areas was found in the form of a fragment of copper alloy Viking ring money by a metal detectorist before the excavation.^[6]

Landmarks

Primary School

Dunbeg Primary School is a single storey building originally opened in 1960. In 2021 it had places for 141 children of all denominations from P1-7, it also provides preschool education with spaces for 20 3–5 year olds.^[7]

The Scottish Association for Marine Science

Main article: The Scottish Association for Marine Science

It is one of Europe's leading marine science research organisations, one of the oldest oceanographic organisations in the world and is Scotland's largest and oldest independent marine science organisation.

Dunstaffnage Castle

Main article: Dunstaffnage Castle

The castle dates back to the 13th century, making it one of Scotland's oldest stone castles, in a local group which includes Castle Sween and Castle Tioram.

Climate

Climate data for Dunstaffnage climate station (3m elevation) 1991–2020 averages
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	7.5 (45.5)	7.8 (46.0)	9.3 (48.7)	11.9 (53.4)	14.9 (58.8)	16.8 (62.2)	18.2 (64.8)	18.1 (64.6)	16.2 (61.2)	13.1 (55.6)	10.0 (50.0)	8.0 (46.4)	12.7 (54.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	2.7 (36.9)	2.6 (36.7)	3.4 (38.1)	5.0 (41.0)	7.1 (44.8)	9.6 (49.3)	11.4 (52.5)	11.4 (52.5)	9.9 (49.8)	7.5 (45.5)	5.0 (41.0)	2.9 (37.2)	6.5 (43.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	206.2 (8.12)	156.0 (6.14)	137.1 (5.40)	91.6 (3.61)	94.9 (3.74)	95.8 (3.77)	109.9 (4.33)	129.9 (5.11)	140.9 (5.55)	189.3 (7.45)	178.3 (7.02)	197.9 (7.79)	1,727.9 (68.03)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm)	20.5	17.4	17.4	13.8	13.8	14.2	15.7	16.8	16.3	19.0	19.7	19.6	204.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours	32.4	62.6	94.9	147.2	192.1	171.0	135.0	135.4	99.1	77.7	46.3	33.3	1,227
Source: metoffice.gov.uk[8]

See also

• Evonium