Clickimin Broch
Broch of Clickimin · Clickhimin Broch
Late Bronze Age to Iron Age (c.1000 BCE–500 CE)·Atlantic Iron Age·🇬🇧 Shetland Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Clickimin Broch
Complex multi-phase Atlantic Iron Age broch on former islet in Clickimin Loch, now on shore due to drainage, 1 km southwest of Lerwick. Shows structural evolution: Late Bronze Age farmstead, Iron Age fort, broch tower (c.500–100 BCE), then wheelhouse. Notable for massive outer blockhouse forework between enclosure and broch, unique among brochs. Excavated by J. R. C. Hamilton 1953–57 revealing stratified village. Surrounded by loch causeway and outer defences.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological gap between Bronze Age and broch phases
- 02Function of blockhouse forework — defence or status display
Theories
- 01Clickimin demonstrates broch development from earlier fort to tower to village
- 02Islet location combines defence with control of Lerwick voe resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Broch c. 500–100 BCE; Late Bronze Age c.1000 BCE; wheelhouse c.100–500 CE
- Period
- Late Bronze Age to Iron Age (c.1000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Atlantic Iron Age
- Purpose
- Defensive islet stronghold, elite residence, later wheelhouse village
- Excavation
- Excavated
Broch c. 500–100 BCE; Late Bronze Age c.1000 BCE; wheelhouse c.100–500 CE
Initial construction
c. 1260 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
60.1507° N · 1.1649° W · 8 m · 3 mapped features
Broch Tower
brochCentral broch with intramural stair, partially reduced but walls to ~3 m
60.1507° N · 1.1649° WBlockhouse Forework
fortificationMassive outer wall/forework between enclosure entrance and broch, up to 4 m thick
60.1506° N · 1.1651° WCauseway and outer enclosure
causewayStone causeway linking islet to shore and outer oval enclosure wall
60.1505° N · 1.1650° W
Gallery