Clachtoll Broch

Clachtoll Broch is one of the most spectacular Iron Age settlements in NW Scotland. Situated on a rocky knoll near the sandy beach at Clachtoll, the wall of this monumental roundhouse still stands to over 3m in height in places and the lintels still cap the cells and wall chambers.

Brochs were numerous and widespread in the north and west in Iron Age Scotland and were being built in some places by around 500 BC. Many, however, continued in use well into the first millennium AD going through many changes in form throughout this time.

A recent Historic Assynt project stabilised the entrance passage by repairing and supporting the lintels and consolidating the walling around the entrance. During this work, it was discovered that the Clachtoll’s Broch tower collapsed suddenly and catastrophically and does not seem to have been used after that.

​

Hazel charcoal from a floor or partition dated this event to between 150BC and 50 AD and there is every reason to believe that below the tons of rubble in the interior is a complete Iron Age occupation layer undisturbed since the tower fell. Contemporary pottery of a type associated with the Hebrides was found in one of the galleries.