Greystell Castle Broch (Graysteil Castle, Loch Rangag)

Greystell Castle broch looks as if it was built on a partly man-made peninsular. It could very well have been built on an island or even a crannog originally, with the loch later being filled in between the island and the shore. The remains of a stone wall curves across the spit of land, and this may well have originally been part of the brochs defenses. Not much survives above ground, the broch being just a turf covered mound, but the broch has never been excavated and there is undoubtedly much of the original broch lying intact below ground. The Picts sure knew how to pick a good spot to build their hoosies.

Easy access, with good parking just a couple of hundred yards up the road (marked on the map). Walk down the road to the gate, and then walk down the field and use the stile over the electric fence to access the site. The ground can be boggy and marshy, so boots would be recommended. Here's the gate just up from the broch.

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

Greystell Castle 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.