Caisteal Na Coille Broch (Castle Cole)

This broch commands an unassailable position on a heavily fortified hilltop perched over a deep ravine into the Black Water, a tributary of the River Brora. That this was built with military purpose has to be beyond dispute. One can only imagine the fear these brochs and the painted Picts who built them must have put in the hearts of the Romans. This is a much smaller broch than any I've encountered before, so brochs were obviously not built randomly, but to specific blueprints for differing purposes that would accommodate differing numbers of people.

You can park at Balnacoil and walk up the land rover track (marked on the map). There is deer stalking with high powered rifles on this estate, so it might be wise to contact the estate before venturing up to the broch.

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.

Caisteal Na Coille broch photographs

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Disclaimer: Some brochs were built with military defensive purpose, and as such can be situated in extremely dangerous areas, such as on the edge of cliffs and ravines. Additionally, these are Iron Age structures, most of them in ruins, and they are extremely hazardous, with crumbling stone walls and hidden chambers. Existing walls, lintels, and passages could collapse at any time. The information here is provided free but it is your responsibility to ensure its accuracy, ensure your own safety, and acquire permissions for access where necessary. Accessing brochs is done entirely at your own risk.