I do not know if they are found mostly in this area because this is the only part of Scotland where they were built, or whether the more aggessive construction work that took place in the Central and South of Scotland destroyed all the evidence of these buildings in the past 600 years.
Brochs developed from circular houses into tall and imposing buildings. Today Carn Liath is about 3metres in height, but when it was complete it would have been about 3 times that height.
Many brochs stood alone, while others were associated with a surrounding village.
Carn Liath lies very near the shore and, lacking natural defences, it was a very strongly built structure.
I visited it in the evening, when I was the only one there. I soent a few moments imagining what it must have been like all those years ago. Apart from the nearby A9, the landscape has probably not changed all that much.
The planning and construction of this broch shows the ingenuity of those distant Iron Age farmers in this remote corner of Scotland.
Thinking about this broch, visiting the numerous carved Pictish Stones, having seen the number of stones exhibited in Dunrobin Castle - many of which were simply found lying on the beach - it makes you think about what life must have been like all those years ago.
The carvings on the Pictish stones are ornate and impressive. These were skilled workers.
They were not savages, and some of the later stones show their knowledge of Christianity.
This is a part of History I will be looking into in more detail myself, so that when I next visit, I will come with a greater insight to Iron Age people of Scotland.
Carn Liath Ancient Monuments
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/golspie/carnliath/
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| Carn Liath |
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| Looking to the Shore |
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| The Entrance |
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| Doorway |
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| General View |
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| Inside a room |
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