Dun Alascaig Broch

The Scottish historian Hector Boece, while writing in the 1520s about Tain, had this to say regarding two brochs in the area, one of which could have been Dun Alascaig: There are preserved, in a certain valley in Ross, two edifices of antiquity, monuments of a round shape, made in the form of bells. According to further historical records, in 1760 Dun Alascaig measured 30 ft internally, had walls over 12ft thick at its base, and still rose to a height of 15ft, meaning it was still one of the best preserved brochs in Scotland, rivalling Dun Troddan and Dun Telve in Glen Elg. The broch was completely destroyed around 1818, most probably to build a road. Dun Alascaig and Dun Creich fort are obviously where line of sight communications north and south along the coast crossed the Dornoch Firth.

Just a short distance from the ruins of the broch there is a small layby where you can park on the A836 between Edderton and Ardgay. Despite the broch being so close to the road, it is quite easy to miss owing to its ruinous state and being heavily overgrown.

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

Dun Alascaig broch photographs

Dun Alascaig 01

Dun Alascaig 02

Dun Alascaig 03

Dun Alascaig 04

Dun Alascaig 05

Dun Alascaig 06

Dun Alascaig 07

Dun Alascaig 08

Dun Alascaig 09

Dun Alascaig 10

Dun Alascaig 11

Dun Alascaig 12

Dun Alascaig 13

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.