Dun Carloway

Dùn Chàrlabhaigh

Iron Age broch

Brochs are found only in northern and western Scotland and date from the last few centuries BC, when life in Atlantic Europe was particularly unsettled. They served as defences against hostile neighbours and distant raiders, but were primarily dwelling-places, occupied by the principal land-holding families of each area. The striking size and prominent location of brochs suggests prestige as much as practicality, a visible index of the status of those who controlled the wealth generated by contemporary pastoral agriculture.

This cut-away drawing shows how Dun Carloway may have looked when in use. It illustrates the circular plan and hollow-wall construction typical of brochs, which stood up to 13 meters tall. No mortar was used in their construction. Note the wooden internal floors, partitions and roof which have been added by the artist. These would have been necessary to make brochs habitable, although the only evidence for them consists of post-holes in some broch floors and inference from surviving stone structures. The single narrow entrance passage, closed with a stout wooden door, and the roof, presumably thatched, were the only points vulnerable to attack, and fire would have been the threat most feared by the occupants.