Stones of Scotland - Dun Carloway broch

Dun Carloway

Broch
Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Nearest town: Stornoway Nearest village: Carloway Map reference: NB 190413

One of the best preserved of Scotland, the tallest part still stands 6.7 m high

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Dun Carloway, on the island of Lewis, is one of the best preserved brochs, the tallest part still standing some 6.7 m (22 ft) high. The overall diameter is 14.3 m (47 ft), and the inner courtyard -with two side cells leading off- is 7.5 m (24 ft) across. Originally, the walls might have been about 13 m (43 ft) high. The broch's typical double wall is well preserved, showing how tiers of galleries were linked by a stone staircase within the hollow wall.
In 1971 one of the cells was excavated. A series of deposits was uncovered, interpreted as a succession of hearths, probably later than the main period of the broch's use. From the lack of metalworking slag or domestic refuse, and the abundance of vessel sherds, the cell was thought to have been used for the firing of pottery.

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