Description

The monument is a broch, a complex stone-built substantial roundhouse, with associated outer-works, dating to the Iron Age (between 600 BC and AD 400). It is visible as a grass-covered stony mound, with surviving walling and associated banks and ditches. The broch is located in an elevated position, on the flattened summit of a natural knoll overlooking Strath Brora. It lies around 50m above sea level.

The broch mound measures about 1.7m in height. The outer walling of the broch, which measures around 10m in internal diameter, is visible beneath a later sheepfold constructed on top of the broch wall. The broch and hillock are encircled by a substantial bank on the north and east, measuring up to 2m in height, reduced to a scatter of stones on the south side. Three short stretches of substantial banks, measuring up to 3.7m in height and 33m in length, lie on the west and northwest and likely represent further out-works. The outworks are truncated by a later track on the northwest.

The scheduled area is irregular in plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them 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 scheduled area extends up to, but excludes, the post-and-wire fence to the east.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Iron Age society in Sutherland and the function, use and development of brochs. This example of a broch has  extensive outworks, surviving in an area with other broadly contemporary monuments. The outer-works of the broch are visually impressive with the survival of substantial banks. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand the development, use and re-use of brochs, and the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy in north of Scotland and further afield.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 6506 (accessed on 27/04/2016).

The Highland Council HER reference is MHG10835.

MacKie, E. W. (2007) The Roundhouses, Brochs and Wheelhouses of Atlantic Scotland c. 700 BC - AD 500: architecture and material culture. Part 2 The Mainland and the Western Islands. BAR, vol 444. Oxford.

RCAHMS. (1911) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. Edinburgh. Page(s): 7, No. 24.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/6506/

HER/SMR Reference

MHG10835

Source: Historic Environment Scotland