Broch of Gurness Created by: * MacMorna Niafer, 2005-08-27 12:37:56

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The Broch of Gurness sits on a blunt promentory of the West Mainland, facing the island of Rousay across the Eynhallow Sound. To the south and southwest are gently rising farmlands, well watered by streams which run down to the sound. Rounded hills in the area were likely used for pasturage.

Gurness was not lacking for neighbors. There are no fewer than seven settlements within a 1.5 mile radius. There are also numerous chambered cairns and burial mounds in the area. Most of the population lived near the sea, as the brochs and settlements are all scattered along the coast. There is little evidence of major roads or trackways, suggesting much of the travel was done by boat.

The broch, itself, seems to be the center of a "planned" settlement. The exterior of the thick-walled tower was some 70 feet in diameter, and may have contained three levels. The upper levels were reached by circular stairways, built between the inner and outer walls. The area surrounding the tower was enclosed by sturdy walls of drystone construction, over 200 feet in diameter and 10 to 12 feet in height. The space between the outer wall and the base of the tower was partitioned off by lower walls into numerous smaller areas which typically contained one or two, and a small open yard. Presumably, the buildings were roofed over sod and thatch. These seem to be a mixture of family dwellings, workshops, storages and livestock pens. The outer defenses were completed by a system of three ditches with ramparts, some 4 to 6-feet deep.

The interior of the broch-tower was also partitioned off into a number of smaller areas. One "room" contains a fine well, fed by a spring, and another has a large hearth area, possibly for cooking. The other areas were most likely for living quarters and such. The upper floor(s) were probably used for living and storage areas. Two small chambers on either side of the tower entrance are presumed to be guard-rooms of some sort. There is a similar construction at the main entrance through the outer defensive wall, as well.

The broch was built sometime before 200 BCE, and seems to have been completed in a fairly short period. There is some evidence to suggest that the system of ditches and ramparts may be of a slightly earlier date. Gurness saw continuous occupation for approximately 300 years. During that time, there were several repairs to the walls and modifications of the internal arrangements. At its peak, the population may have reached 70 – 100 people. However, by around AD 100, the place had fallen into disuse. The bulk of the population faded away, whether due to disease, famine or wars, the cause is unknown. A single family stayed behind and built a small house of five rooms, from the rubble of the broch. It may be that these people could grow sufficient crops to support their smaller population. By AD 600, even this structure was abandoned.


References:

Undiscovered Scotland – The Broch of Gurness
Gettysburg College – The Broch of Gurness
Henge
Orkneyjar
Orkney – The Broch of Gurness


Map, text and graphics by MacMorna Niafer


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