Description

The monument comprises the remains of a partially-excavated broch. The monument was first scheduled in 1938 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains. The present rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument is situated on a partly artificial peninsula on the E side of Loch Rangag. It survives as a turf-covered mound approximately 20m in diameter and 4m in height. A guard chamber is visible on the N side of the debris-filled entrance passage in the E. Part of a mural chamber is visible in the NW. On the landward side of the peninsula is a heather-covered stone bank approximately 1m in height and 3-4m wide, extending N-S for a distance of 26m. About 11m from the N end of the bank is a gap with a turf-covered causeway extending from it across the isthmus to terminate on the broch. However, the causeway is off-set from the broch entrance and may not be contemporary with the broch. Stonework is evident extending into the loch for a distance of several meters.

The area to be scheduled is a circle 55m in diameter centred on the centre of the broch to include the broch and an area around (including under water) in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance as the remains of an Iron Age broch which the partial excavation demonstrates has the potential to provide information on the nature of settlement and defensive architecture during this period of prehistory. Significant archaeological remains - perhaps some waterlogged - will survive in and around the broch.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as ND 14SE 4.

RCAHMS 1911, THIRD REPORT AND INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, Edinburgh, HMSO, 60-1, No. 222.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland