Midhowe Broch
Midhowe Broch, Rousay · Westness Broch
Iron Age (c.200 BCE–200 CE)·Atlantic Iron Age (Orcadian)·🇬🇧 Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom
About
About Midhowe Broch
Among Orkney's best-preserved brochs on the exposed west coast of Rousay, perched on a platform above Eynhallow Sound opposite Eynhallow island. Iron Age tower (c.200 BCE–200 CE) with 3–4 m high walls, intramural galleries, guard cell and surrounding settlement. Excavated 1930–33 by Walter Grant; conserved with Midhowe Chambered Cairn 500 m northeast as part of the Westness heritage walk. Severely eroded on seaward side revealing wall thickness and construction joints.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Extent of extramural settlement lost to coastal erosion
- 02Relationship to nearby Midhowe Chambered Cairn symbolic reuse
Theories
- 01Broch sited to command sea passage between Rousay and Eynhallow
- 02Later cottars reused platform indicating long coastal occupation
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 200 BCE–100 CE
- Period
- Iron Age (c.200 BCE–200 CE)
- Culture
- Atlantic Iron Age (Orcadian)
- Purpose
- Defensive and domestic broch tower with ancillary settlement controlling Rousay sound
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 200 BCE–100 CE
Initial construction
c. 1380 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
59.1498° N · 3.0995° W · 12 m · 3 mapped features
Broch Tower
brochCircular tower with entrance on southeast and intramural cells
59.1498° N · 3.0995° WIntramural Gallery
architectural featureContinuous gallery within wall thickness with stair remains
59.1499° N · 3.0994° WRevetment Platform
platformArtificial stone platform revetting broch above shore
59.1497° N · 3.0996° W
Gallery