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 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."
"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."
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.