Description

The monument comprises the remains of a broch dating to the Iron Age (800BC – 400AD).  It survives as a roughly circular mound of rubble approximately 16.6m in diameter with an outer wall. It is located on a small peninsula projecting into Loch Naver at approximately 80m above sea level.

The broch was a circular drystone structure, now surviving as a mound of rubble with a short stretch of outer wall face on the south-southeast side approximately 3.7m long. The entrance is located nearby also in the south-southeast.  Several of the entrance passage lintels have been removed. There is evidence of a guard cell and a door rebate, approximately 1.3m along the entrance passage. The remains of enclosing stone outer works are located a maximum of 11.6m from the broch. In the south-southeast there is a gap in the wall, aligned with the broch entrance, from which a causeway runs for approximately 10m, crossing an area of marshy ground. The date of the causeway is likely contemporary with the broch's occupation. 

The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The above ground elements of all current post and wire fencing are specifically excluded from the schedule to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past as a broch with the potential for multiple phases of occupation dating to the Iron Age (800BC – 400AD). 

The monument retains structural, architectural and other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past including an entrance passage, enclosing stone outer works and causeway. Beneath the collapsed rubble traces of internal structures, including hearths, stairs and chambers within the walls are likely to survive along with evidence relating to the construction, use and abandonment of the broch.

The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. Archaeological excavation is likely to identify well stratified archaeological deposits with a good potential for surviving artefacts and environmental remains suitable for scientific analysis and radiocarbon dating. 

The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the prehistoric landscape. It occupies a defendable position with views along Loch Naver. Loch Naver and Strath Naver have a notable concentration of brochs with three by the loch and a further nine along the strath. A comparative study of the broch with similar monuments on a local and national scale could help us to better understand the reasons behind their distribution, changing settlement patterns and land use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/5549/

HER/SMR Reference

MHG12525

Source: Historic Environment Scotland