Shetland has a long and ancient history. It was not always a part of Scotland. More of that later.
But all over Shetland is to be found evidence of its long history. And the brochs are a fine example.
A broch is an Iron Age dry-stone hollow walled structure found only in Scotland.
Most brochs stand alone in the landscape though there are examples of brochs surrounded by some smaller structures.
There is debate about their purpose. Some believe them to be like forts, others farmhouses. The word BROCH comes from Lowland Scots and means brough...a word for a fort. They are the most spectacular type of roundhouse, and Shetland boasts about 120 sites.
The Royal Commission on Historic Sites proposes 571 possible brochs throughout Scotland.
The Clickimin Broch which lies on the small Loch Clickimon is one of the best preserved brochs, is quite large but there has been some restoration. It has an external diameter of about 20 metres, and dates back to the 1st Century AD. There is evidence of an earlier structure, a farm.
If you wish to find more about this broch, or any others, please follow the links.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broch_of_Clickimin
http://brochs.co.uk/viewpage.php?page_id=1
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/earlypeople/brochs/index.asp
http://www.archaeologyhebrides.com/pages/brochs
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_070
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