Carloway Broch


(Dun Charlabhaigh)

A fine example of a Pictish broch, Dun Carloway (Gael: Dun Charlabhaigh) lies on the south shore of Loch Carloway 1¼ miles (2 km) southwest of Carloway in Lewis. One of 500 brochs around the coasts of north and west Scotland, the massive stone tower of Carloway Broch has been in state guardianship since 1887. It dates from 100BC to 300AD and has double dry-stone walls rising to 9m (30 feet). There are chambers at ground level that connect with progressively narrower galleries at higher levels.

Excavation of the site in 1972 revealed hearths, ash and pottery, suggesting a secondary period of occupation between 400 and 700AD and it is said that the broch was used as a stronghold by the Morrison clan in the 17th Century during the feud between the Morrisons of Ness and the Macauleys of Uig.


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