Brochs are among Scotland's most impressive prehistoric
buildings, dating from around 2300 to 1900 years ago. There
are around 500 of these iron age structures in Scotland.
It is only to the north and west of Scotland, where stone
was more readily available than timber, that brochs are to
be found. Huge windowless towers, ingeniously engineered,
they represent the pinnacle of dry-stone wall building and
remain one of the finest construction achievements of Iron
Age Europe.
Brochs
combined a number of possible features, such as defensive
fortifications, dwelling houses and even status symbols, and
most likely served differing purposes at different times.
The theory that they were defensive military structures is
not accepted by many modern archaeologists owing to their
poor defensive qualities and so their origins remains a
subject of continuing research and debate. Brochs were
almost certainly originally roofed. One likely use would
have been as seasonal harvest accomodation for farm staff
taking in the crops who would have required light
fortification sufficient to repel attacks from robbers and
rustlers until help could be summoned.
For more information on each broch, including images,
locations and access, please follow the links below.
Carn
Liath
Carroll Broch
Loch
Brora
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