Carn Liath Broch in Sutherland, Scotland

A free to visit prehistoric Iron Age Broch near Golspie and Brora in the east coast of Sutherland

Carn Liath Broch in Sutherland, Scotland.
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Carn Liath Broch - Brochs are a prehistoric Iron Age building type unique to Scotland and were first constructed between 400 and 200 BC, with Carn Liath probably being around 2,200 years old. Brochs often have circular internal ground plan with drystone walls capable of rising to tower-like heights. Carn Liath is one of the best-preserved examples of a broch in northern mainland Scotland. It is also very close to the main A9 and is easily visited by parking in the area provided and carefully crossing the busy road to the path to the broch.

Carn Liath is one of the easiest brochs to find and visit in the north of Scotland and is between Golspie and Brora, and when travelling north, it is just over a mile from Dunrobin Castle. It is free to visit and open all year round.

Carn Liath

Pictures of Carn Liath Broch

Information on Broch

Carn Liath - Information on Broch and artists impression of what it looked like

"Carn Liath is one of the few excavated brochs on the Scottish mainland with surviving outbuildings. It may have belonged to a wealthy family demonstrating their power and influence in the area."

Inside the broch

Inside the broch (illustration)

"Carn Liath and its outbuildings were probably altered many times over the centuries. It was excavated in Victorian times for the Duke of Sutherland. Unfortunately, due to poor archaeological techniques used, many questions remain about the site's development."

Entrance to Broch

Carn Liath broch - Entrance to Broch

The excavated entrance to the broch shows the defensive nature of the broch entrance, limiting access to inside the building. It would allow the broch to be easily protected, keeping wild animals and potential attackers out.

Carn Liath Broch entrance

Carn Liath - Broch Entrance

Excavated Broch Entrance

Outside of Carn Liath broch and the nearby coastal view

Outside of Carn Liath broch and the nearby coastal view

Entrance area of Carn Liath

Entrance area of Carn Liath

Inside the broch looking through entrance towards the coast

Inside the broch looking through entrance towards the coast

View of Broch and Ben Bhraggie and Monument in distance

View of Broch and Ben Bhraggie and Monument in distance

Coastline next to the Carn Liath broch

Coastline next to the Carn Liath broch

Carn Liath - Looking into the broch 

Carn Liath - Inside the broch

Inside the broch

The beach is very close to the broch

The beach is very close to the broch

Duke of Sutherland Monument on Ben Bhraggie

Duke of Sutherland Monument on Ben Bhraggie

Scotland Broch - Carn Liath

Scotland Broch - Carn Liath

You can find additional information on this broch in the north of Scotland on various websites - we list a few for a quick reference. Bing.com maps for online OS Map showing the area around Carn Liath broch, Highland Historic Environment record MHG10872 - Broch, Carn Liath, Canmore Carn Liath information, Historic Environment Scotland Historic Environment Scotland Carn Liath Broch Statements of Significance (provides link to a comprehensive document - pdf format, written in 2017, updated when new information is available). For an aerial drone videos I found the one by Wolfgang Günther on Carn Liath fascinating to watch, it also shows how close to the sea the broch is, and how the broch is built in a raised defensive position. The wall of the broch originally would have been far higher than what currently remains. The broch was also surrounded by other structures (probably homes) where people lived and farmed the surrounding area. For a very detailed aerial video the one by Robert Wilson of RMW Aerial of Carn Liath is wonderful and clearly shows how complex a structure these brochs were.

Carn Liath Broch in Sutherland, Scotland - Broch Location Map

Carn Liath Broch in Sutherland, Scotland - Broch Location Map

Buy Ordnance Survey map of Golspie and Brora area online with Amazon UK