ORCA
  • Home
    • About
  • Caithness Broch Festival
  • Commercial
    • Terrestrial Services >
      • Heritage Consultancy
      • Fieldwork
      • Post Excavation
      • 3D Models
    • Marine Services >
      • Heritage Consultancy
      • Fieldwork
      • Specialist Services
  • Community
    • Outreach and Training
  • Research
    • Research Projects
  • Staff
  • ORCA Blog
  • Contact

What are Brochs?

Brochs were massive stone structures constructed in the Iron Age and are unique to Scotland with a particular concentration in the north and west of Scotland. In total, at least 700 brochs are known to have existed across Scotland, constructed and developed over the period between 600BC and AD100. 

Although differing in design, brochs stood from between five to 15 metres high and were drystone in construction with a single entrance at ground level. There is evidence to suggest that they were at least two storeys high and many have staircases built into the massively thick walls leading to the upper floors. These structures were considerable feats of engineering and were clearly built to be impressive in the landscape.

The Caithness Broch Festival archaeological investigations centred on two of these broch sites: Thing's Va and Bruan in the very northern tip of mainland Scotland. 


Giving the past a presence now and for the future





Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Part of The University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute
Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology, University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute,
Orkney College UHI, Kirkwall KW15 1LX.
T: 01856 569345  E:

Copyright © 2018
  • Home
    • About
  • Caithness Broch Festival
  • Commercial
    • Terrestrial Services >
      • Heritage Consultancy
      • Fieldwork
      • Post Excavation
      • 3D Models
    • Marine Services >
      • Heritage Consultancy
      • Fieldwork
      • Specialist Services
  • Community
    • Outreach and Training
  • Research
    • Research Projects
  • Staff
  • ORCA Blog
  • Contact