Deep in Scotland’s pre-historic past, before the arrival of the Romans to lowland Scotland and even before we became famous for clans and medieval castles, the people of Scotland’s iron age left their mark in the unique ‘brochs’ they left behind. Here is how to visit my top 10 best brochs in Scotland – and a selection of brochs that you can also stay in!
The 10 best brochs in Scotland to visit
Here are my ten favourite brochs in Scotland to visit.
So what exactly is a broch?
Brochs are only found in Scotland and were once huge 10m+ high stone built circular towers. At first glance, you might think a broch is a type of iron age castle – and the word ‘broch’ does mean ‘fort’, but these structures which date back over 2000 years were just as likely to have been the stately homes of their time rather used for defence.
Whatever brochs were used for, there are a lot of them – over 500 which you can visit right across Scotland. Here are my favourites:
1. Dunbeath Broch (Caithness)
Over 200 of Scotland’s brochs are located in the region of Caithness and one of the best examples is Dunbeath Broch which is set in a beautiful strath (river valley) and stands over three metres high. Dunbeath Broch still contains remnants of cells (small rooms).
The best way to visit Dunbeath Broch is on the beautiful Dunbeath Strath Heritage Trail. There are nine brochs in the Dunbeath area which you can visit. Free entry and open all year tound, car park in Dunbeath.
2. Mousa Broch (Shetland)
Located on Shetland’s Mousa Island is one of the best-preserved Iron Age brochs in Scotland. Standing 13 meters tall, Mousa Broch was built around 2,000 years ago and has one of the smallest diameters of any of the brochs in Scotland – but has very thick walls!
Mousa Broch is one of the only remaining complete brochs and it has a staircase inside allowing access to the top.
Mousa Broch is accessible by boat from Sandwick near Lerwick. Visit www.mousa.co.uk for ferry details. The boat trip operates daily (except Saturday) from April 1st to end-September and is £18 per adult.
Did you know that Mousa Broach is so famous it was even mentioned in the the Orkneyinga Saga – Earl Harald Maddadsson took seige to the broch in 1153 after his mother was abducted and held inside the broch!
3. Dun Carloway Broch (Isle of Lewis)
Dun Carloway is a stunning broch sitting on a cliff top on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The broch was likely constructed in 200 BC and stands 9m in height.
The broch is probably named after Karlavagr (“Karl’s bay”) in Norse and is the best preserved broch in the Western Isles. Explore the Dun Carloway Broch and surrounding moorland on a 3 mile walk. Free to visit.
4. Clachtoll Broch (Assynt)
With a coastal location in the beautiful region of Assynt, Clachtoll broch might be ruined but it offers a fascinating insight into Scotland’s iron age history. The broch was once a home lived in by a farming family and the structure was destroyed by fire 2000 years ago which has led to perferctly preserved archaeology under the layers of ash.
Nearby, Clachtoll Beach in Assynt one of Scotland’s best beaches and can be explore with this walk along the beach to the broch. Free entry.
5.Broch of Gurness (Orkney)
The Broch of Gurness, located on the west side of the Orkney Mainland, is 2000 years old and dates back to around 500 BC. This well-preserved broch is huge – it has a diameter of 65 meters, and is surrounded by the remains of a village of 14 houses.
The broch is located overlooking the Eynhallow Sound and the Sands of Evie. The broch is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is £7.50 for adults. There is a visitor centre on site.
6. Midhowe Broch (Orkney)
The island of Rousay, Orkney, has over a hundred cairns, tombs and brochs, and Midhowe broch is built out on a narrow promontory – a great location for defence!
The broch is surrounded by buildings, including houses, workshops and even an iron smelting hearth – the broch was built in the iron age in Scotland after all.
The broch is visible from the Broch of Gurness across the Eynhallow Sound – did the two brochs work together? The broch is access by Orkney Ferries from Tingwall Terminal.
7. Clickmin Broch (Shetland)
Located on the outskirt of Lerwick, Clickmin broch sits on the shores of Clickmin Loch and is one of 120 brochs across Shetland. The broch is well preserved and is about 20 metres in diameter and would once have been 12 meters high.
The broch was occupied from 1,000BC to 600AD. Entrance is free.
Did you know that the old Norse word for brochs was borgs or burgs? Sumburgh Head in Shetland used to have a broch. There is now a lighthouse in its place.
8. Glenelg Brochs: Dun Telve and Dun Troddan
There are three brochs on the Glenelg peninsula – 2000 year old Dun Telve and Dun Troddan are to be found just 500 m apart on the banks of the Abhainn a’Ghlaine Bhig river in Gleann Beag – and are two of the best preserved brochs in Scotland.
Why were these brochs, which are usually considered to be defensive towers built so close together? A third, Dun Grugaig, is a semi-broch and mostly derelict. The Glenelg brochs are free to visit.
9. Nybster Broch (Caithness)
Half-way between Wick and John O’Groats is Nybster where you can hike a a lovely cliffside walk out to the Nybster Broch which sits out on a dramatic promontory. With 4m thick walls and an internal diameter of 7m, Nybster Broch also has lots of outbuildings. Find out more about the Caithness Broch project.
10. Achvarasdal Broch (Caithness)
Located between Thurso and Reay and one of the largest brochs in Scotland with a diameter of 9.8 metres with 4m thick and 1.6m high walls and a narrow entrance passage. The broch has been opened up and restored by the Caithness Broch Project.
Stay in a broch in Scotland
Fancy staying in a traditional Scottish Broch? Well you are in luck as there are some amazing places in Scotland which can give you a taste of the iron age – with a lot more luxury thrown in. Here is how to stay in a broch in Scotland:
The Broch at Borve Lodge on the Isle of Harris – the first broch built in Scotland since the iron age, stay in this three storey tower in the heart of the Outer Hebrides.
Brochs of Coigach – two beautiful stone ‘broch’ style self catering cottages near Achiltibuie in the North West Highlands near Lochinver.
Balbinny Broch, Angus – two minimalist holiday cottages styled to look like traditional brochs perfect for exploring the Angus Glens.
Love from Scotland x