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Bridge of Occumster is a broch situated in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. This Iron Age stone tower stands 320 metres south-south-west of Bridge of Occumster, constructed upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone formed during the Middle Devonian period. The underlying geology comprises conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone typical of this ancient riverine depositional environment.
Brochs represent a distinctive form of Iron Age fortified residence found almost exclusively in Scotland, characterised by their hollow-walled circular towers. The substantial stone construction at this site reflects the technological sophistication and social status of its Iron Age inhabitants, likely dating to between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. The substantial rubble and stone remains visible today provide evidence of the monument's original scale and construction methods.
The broch is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM570, recognising its archaeological significance. Its position in the Highland landscape, built upon the resistant sandstone geology of the area, reflects the Iron Age settlement patterns of the far north. The monument survives as an important record of pre-Roman Scotland and the distribution of these remarkable fortified structures across the northern regions.
Bridge of Occumster,broch 320m SSW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM570. View the official record →
Bridge of Occumster is a broch situated in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM570.
Bridge of Occumster,broch 320m SSW of dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Bridge of Occumster,broch 320m SSW of 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 SM570.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Achavar,broch NNW of Occumster Railway Station (1.5 km), Lybster, Church of Scotland, cross incised stone (2.2 km), Reisgill,old bridge (2.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Bridge of Occumster,broch 320m SSW of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Bridge of Occumster,broch 320m SSW of stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.