Scheduled MonumentsScotlandAn Dun, broch, Berriedale
Iron Age · Broch, berriedale

An Dun, broch, Berriedale

Scotland
HES SM518
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Broch, berriedale
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

An Dun is a broch located near Berriedale in Caithness, northern Scotland. This Iron Age structure, whose name translates from Gaelic as "the fort," represents the distinctive fortified tower architecture characteristic of brochs constructed during the later Iron Age, typically dated between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. The monument survives as a substantial dry-stone tower, featuring the characteristic double-wall construction that defines broch architecture, which provided both structural integrity and defensive capability. An Dun exemplifies the widespread distribution of broch construction across northern Scotland, serving as evidence of the regional settlement patterns and social organization of Iron Age communities in the far north.

An Dun, broch, Berriedale is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM518. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is An Dun, broch, Berriedale?

An Dun is a broch located near Berriedale in Caithness, northern Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM518.

What period does An Dun, broch, Berriedale date from?

An Dun, broch, Berriedale dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch, berriedale. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting An Dun, broch, Berriedale?

An Dun, broch, Berriedale is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM518.

What other scheduled monuments are near An Dun, broch, Berriedale?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tulloch Turnal, broch 500m WNW of Turnal Rock, Langwell (2.4 km), Turnal Rock, hut circle complex 250m NW of Langwell Tulloch broch. (2.5 km), Langwell Plantation,souterrain 130m W of Kennels (2.5 km).

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