Smerral Broch (Bunellich, Latheronwheel Burn)

A grassy mound with the base of the exterior wall visible in places. With Smerral Wood broch just 100 yds away, and with so many other brochs around Latheron and Lybster, there must have been quite a community of Picts living here.

Take the single track road from Latheronwheel. As parking in passing places is illegal, you will have to find parking on a verge somewhere (which may not be easy) and walk to the brochs. The brochs are beside the road, but they are on private farmland with livestock so seeking permission for access would be recommended. In any event, make sure you close all gates and use the stiles to negotiate the barbed wire fences.

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

Smerral broch photographs

Smerral 01

Smerral 02

Smerral 03

Smerral 04

Smerral 05

Smerral 06

Smerral 07

Smerral 08

Smerral 09

Smerral 10

Smerral 11

Smerral 12

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.