This evening, I am focusing on a uniquely Scottish structure, namely brochs. In all there were some 500 brochs built in Scotland around the period 200BC to 200AD. In essence the brochs were round towers with tapering double-skinned dry-stone walls bonded together at intervals by rows of flat slabs. Between the two concentric walls were stairs leading to galleries and rooms on other levels. There were no windows and the concentric walls are now understood to provide a very effective insulation mechanism. Height was around 40ft or 13m.

Brochs seem to have originated in the Orkney Islands. They are thought to be combined high status and defensive buildings which entire communities and their animals could use as a refuge. Many brochs are situated in prominent positions overlooking the sea (communication lines).

Most of the Scottish brochs are in various states of ruin. However, there remains one almost intact broch on the uninhabited island of Mousa (Shetlands) as illustrated in image at top of post.

Here is a summary of key broch features:

• Comprise tall, round towers which are broadly comparable with modern-day lighthouses.
• The walls were double-skinned, tapered and bonded together at intervals by rows of flat slabs.
• Access to up stories was provided by flights of stairs between the double walls.
• Brochs are invariably found on prominent positions and probably provided high status homes for important families and their animals.
• Access usually provided by a small, narrow entrance which could be easily defended.
• There is evidence of some 500 brochs many of which which are concentrated in the north, particularly Orkney and Shetland, Western Isles and Caithness on the mainland.
• Brochs date to the iron-age, circa 200 BC to 200 AD, after which they went out of use and were robbed of stone for other buildings.
• Built by indigenous, non-Scottish, peoples from whom the Pictish culture later developed.

For more information on brochs and Scotland refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4