The blog is moving

I’ve been toying in my mind for weeks about some way to offer more information about brochs, particularly with regards to maps, access, river crossings, private land, and other things folks would find useful before planning a trip to a broch. The main website, Highlands of Scotland Photography, is a stock photography site, so it is inappropriate for such information. I thought a WordPress blog would meet the need. However, although it serves the purposes of a blog admirably, it doesn’t address the issue of providing access information.

This came up again last week when my brother mentioned that he would appreciate more access information, particularly maps and parking. So, after much thought, I’ve decided to use an IP Board as a social platform where members can discuss brochs and where all relevant access information can be posted. To that end, this blog is closing and from now on I will be blogging at the board in the Scottish brochs forums.

A small yearly subscription is required should you wish to join in the activities at the board, where we also have gold panning, Tomb Raider, and photography related forums, and guests are welcome to view the board. I look forward to seeing you there.

Scottish Brochs forums – click here

Strath Brora broch

This broch commands an unassailable position on a heavily fortified hilltop, perched over a deep ravine into the Black Water, a tributary of the River Brora. That this was built with military purpose is beyond dispute. One can only imagine the fear these brochs and the painted Picts who built them must have put in the hearts of the Romans. How do you take a country of heavily fortified brochs, manned by warrior Scots who know how to fight and wield a sword? The simple answer is, you don’t. The Romans tried four times to conquer Scotland and left defeated. Then, with the help of the Irish, the Scots invaded England and pushed the Romans from our shores. Don’t ever underestimate the Scots.

Strath Brora photographs – click here

Strath Brora panorama – click here

Upper Suisgill broch

Another of the Strath of Kildonan brochs, this one is the first broch down the Strath from the Learable, commanding a nice defendable position on the banks of the Suisgill burn. There is nothing left of stonework above ground, but the site is still easily identifiable.

Upper Suisgill broch photographs – click here

Upper Suisgill panorama – click here

Suisgill broch

This is another of the Strath of Kildonan brochs, and if you didn’t know what you were looking for, you would probably walk past it without noticing the site. It is completely overgrown, but the walls can still be made out as circular mounds covered in heather and grass. From the top of the broch, you would have been able to see both the Learable and Upper Suisgill brochs. There appears to be a break in the chain between this broch and the brochs further down the Strath, which would suggest there are further brochs in the Strath yet to be discovered.

Suisgill broch photographs – click here

Suisgill broch panorama – click here

Learable broch, Strath of Kildonan

This is another of the Strath of Kildonan brochs, and judging by the huge surrounding earthworks, it was another military garrison. Perhaps the Strath of Kildonan brochs were sandwiched between this one and the Kilphedir. From here, the Suisglll and Upper Suisgill brochs are clearly visible just down the Strath. There must have been an unbroken chain of brochs from Kilphedir in sight of each other, from which word could have been passed in moments to everyone living there.

The Scots certainly understood military tactics, and it is certain they were warriors who knew how to handle weapons to protect their way of life. The Roman historian Tacitus described the people who lived in the Strath as tall, red headed men who fought bravely with long swords and round shields. Their descendents live in Helmsdale and the Strath to this day.

Learable broch panorama – click here

Learable broch photographs – click here

Killin broch, Strath Brora

Killin broch overlooking Loch Brora has a military feel to it, and was probably a garrison to protect the brochs along the south shores of Loch Brora. One very interesting strategic fact about Killin which was obvious to me when I climbed up there, is that it can be clearly seen from the three brochs on the south banks of Loch Brora, but cannot be seen from north bank of the loch towards the coast. Roman legions landing at Brora would have probably marched with their eyes on the brochs on the south banks of the loch, unaware of the military garrison behind them. Killin was the work of military genius. It is no wonder the Romans failed to conquer Scotland.

Killin broch panorama – click here

Killin broch – click here

Dalchork

Checking Dalchork broch on google earth, it appears to have extensive surrounding earthworks, confirming my assumption that it was a military garrison. Why else would the Scots have built such a large stone defensive fort on top a hill, in clear view of other brochs in the area? I’m beginning to surmise that brochs were perhaps only used during times of seige. But who would the Scots have needed defences against?

Practically all brochs were built during the 1st Centuries BC and AD, a period of 200 years, coinciding with the Roman invasion of Britain. That the Romans attempted to conquer Scotland at least 4 times and failed, could be directly attributed to the superb defensive qualities of brochs against swords, bows, and spears. Marauding Roman legions, after all, would hardly have been hauling seige engines up remote Scottish glens.

If you’re looking for war memorials, here they are, only brochs don’t commemorate dead people, they stand as timeless monuments to the spirit that is Scotland.

Dalchork broch – click here

Tirryside broch

This was another of the Lairg brochs. With hindsight, I wish now I’d checked if this broch is within sight of the Sallachy, Dalchork, and Ferry Wood brochs. I’m pretty sure it would be, as I’m getting a military feel for these things, but I would have to go back to make sure. Next time I’m in the area, I’m going to check that out. My mind is filled with all sorts of possibilities, and I know it’s time to do some reading. Although I’ve not checked the Dalchork broch yet, I’m almost certain it will prove to be a hilltop military garrison with surrounding heavy defences.

Tirryside is such a beautiful site, my goodness.

Panorama higher resolution photograph of Tirryside broch – click here

Photographs of Tirryside broch – click here

West Shinness

Brochs are getting under my skin. I love these things. Being around them is amazing. I’m seeing Scotland in a very special and unique way following the broch trail around the Highlands.

It’s a fair bit from West Shinness to the Ferry wood broch, but I’m pretty sure the Sallachy is within easy signalling distance. Thoughts are crowding my head. All these brochs seem to have the same architectural design, or are so similar, that I’m beginning to suspect that brochs may very well have been built by national construction teams of thousands of workers that went around the country fortifying Scotland. Stone would have hauled by horse and donkey I would guess. Stone may even have been quarried and shipped to every part of Scotland. There is organisation and feverish industry at a national level here, with architectural and military genius working together to fortify Scotland. I need to do some homework and get my head into history.

West Shinness broch photographs – click here

Sallachy broch

Having checked the map, it looks as if the Sallachy, Tirryside, Dalchork, West Shinness, and Ferry Wood brochs are all sited in view of each other. The main entrance of the Sallachy is sited in view of Ferry Wood broch, and towards the hilltop position of the Dalchork broch. If the Strath of Helmsdale is anything to go by, Dalchork could very well be a hill top military garrison. Must make a point of checking that when I’m over there.

What a beautiful part of the world. What a great way to see Scotland! Broch bagging should be a national sport every bit as popular as Munro bagging.

Sallachy broch photographs – click here