The Dùn Èistean Archaeology Project (DEAP) is a five year multi-disciplinary field project managed by GUARD (Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division) and follows on from previous work. DEAP is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Historic Scotland, the Clan Morrison Society, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The project includes archaeological survey of the north of Ness (the Ness Archaeological Landscape Survey, NALS) and excavations and post-excavation work at Dùn Èistean. DEAP seeks to enhance our understanding of Dùn Èistean and the surrounding landscape of Ness , from the earliest settlement to the Medieval and later remains in the area. The work draws on the results of a series of separately funded projects, which include documentary research, place-name analysis and the collection of oral traditions.

All elements of the project, including its educational and community outreach goals, are managed by GUARD and the two GUARD Project Directors, Dr Chris Barrowman and Rachel Barrowman, are charged with the undertaking and achieving of a set of project targets during the lifetime of DEAP. These include the production of a range of reports each year and the final publication and archiving of all aspects of the project at the end of DEAP in 2010.

DEAP has four over-arching aims, which the project will seek to achieve during its lifetime. These aims lie at the heart of the project and are presented below:

To improve access to the cultural heritage by providing a rare opportunity for a range of people to become involved in a long-term archaeological field project.
To interpret the results meaningfully at various levels and educating a range of audiences through the provision of suitable media.
To establish a foundation of information for the scientific study of a clan centre throughout Scotland and beyond.
To inform the long-term management of the rich cultural resources of Dùn Èistean and the surrounding study area.

Dùn Èistean is now the focus of a multi-disciplinary project researching the history and archaeology of Ness.