The Broch
What is a Broch?
A poetic or emotional response to this question is that the brochs are an enigma; a mystery, a source of controversy and a futile urge to connect to forgotten people of the iron age.
The Layman's Broch
A circular stone tower or structure found throughout the northern parts of Scotland.
Wikipedia's Broch
The Broch is an Iron Age dry stone structure of a type which is only found in Scotland. The brochs of Scotland include some of the most sophisticated examples of dry stone architecture ever created. Brochs belong to the archaeological classification of complex Atlantic Roundhouse. (As defined on Wikipedia's Broch page)
An Archaeologist's Broch
An Atlantic roundhouse of complex layout, including galleries, scarcements, stairs, voids above lintels and guard cells. The circumferential wall is hollow, containing the stair and intra-mural galleries. The overall construction is in effect a tower.
Everyone's Broch
As with all ancient monuments, brochs deserve special respect and are protected in law. It is an offence to damage them. This website documents the brochs, with freely licensed content that ensures we are creating a shared resource for the benefit of Shetland