Carn Mor Broch

This broch starkly reminded me of why I now feel it is important to photograph and document as many of the remaining known brochs in Scotland as I can. Another few years and this one will be under the ground, covered in trees, bushes, fern, heather and grass. There is nothing to see whatsoever, and were it not for the few stones still poking through the heather you wouldn't know it was there. It's sad to see such important monuments of our past being swallowed by the ground.

Take the single track road from Ardgay which runs along the south banks of the Kyle of Sutherland (it doesn't appear to have a name), and both this and the Carn Mor Birchfield broch are within walking distance of the road. Unlike the Carn Mor Birchfield broch, however, this one is not easy to find nor is it easy to get to. There is a large rounded hillock beside a pond which you would immediately think was the broch, so make for that first, then strike off to the right and search for the broch about 50 or so yards away in thick undergrowth. The ground is boggy, infested with ticks, and the going is rough. Not one for the family. One plus point is that there is plenty of wide verge for parking.

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

Carn Mor broch photographs

Carn Mor 01

Carn Mor 02

Carn Mor 03

Carn Mor 04

Carn Mor 05

Carn Mor 06

Carn Mor 07

Carn Mor 08

Carn Mor 09

Carn Mor 10

Carn Mor 11

Carn Mor 12

Carn Mor 13

Carn Mor 14

Carn Mor 15

Carn Mor 16

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.