Ousdale Broch

Ousdale Broch is an Iron Age broch located near the village of Helmsdale in Caithness, Scotland (grid reference ND07131881).

Ousdale Broch
Ousdale Broch viewed from the east
Shown within Highland
LocationScottish Highlands
Coordinates58.148449°N 3.579339°W / 58.148449; -3.579339
TypeBroch
History
PeriodsIron Age

Location

Ousdale Broch is located near the small settlement of Ousdale near the A9 coastal road. It is 3.5 miles northeast of Helmsdale,[1] and about 1 mile southwest of the ruined hamlet of Badbea.[2]

The broch stands on a narrow terrace at the foot of a long shallow slope.[3] The terrace is bounded to the east by a deep ravine containing the Ousdale Burn flowing down to the sea and, on the south, by a shallower ravine containing the Allt a Bhurg (English: The burn of the fort).[3]

Description

Ousdale Broch has an external diameter of around 16 metres.[3] The main entrance is on the southwest and is 4.3 metres long with nearly all the roofing lintels still in position.[3] The entrance passage is 1.78 metres high and 75 centimetres wide. The entrance passage contains two sets of door-checks, and there is also a guard-cell.[1] The interior of the broch has a diameter of around 7 metres, and there is a doorway to the intramural stairway.[3]

Excavations

The site was excavated in 1891 by James Mackay, and the interior was thoroughly cleared out.[3]

Layers of ashes and charcoal were found on the floor, with many broken animal bones.[3] There were also large quantities of common periwinkle and limpet shells, and many wild hazel nuts.[3] A series of stone tanks were set into the floor.[3] Finds included a metalworking crucible. Stone artifacts included a damaged "hatchet", a granite mortar, several querns, stone discs, and several whetstones.[3] There were large quantities of pottery. A segment of a jet bracelet was also found, and a fragment of a wooden dish or scoop.[3]

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References
  1. Ritchie, J N G (1998). Brochs of Scotland. Shire Publications. p. 47. ISBN 0747803897.
  2. Miers, Richenda (2006). Scotland's Highlands and Islands. New Holland. p. 186.
  3. Historic Environment Scotland. "Ousdale Burn (7409)". Canmore. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
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