Scheduled MonumentsScotlandCairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe
Iron Age · Broch, staxigoe

Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe

Scotland
HES SM532
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Broch, staxigoe
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Cairn of Elsay is a Iron Age broch situated at Staxigoe in Caithness, northern Scotland. The monument dates to the Iron Age period when such circular stone towers were constructed throughout northern Britain, representing centres of power and defensive structures for local communities. The broch survives as a substantial cairn of stones, testament to the durability of Iron Age building traditions in Scotland's far north. This site forms part of the important concentration of broch monuments in Caithness, reflecting the region's significance during the Iron Age.

Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM532. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe?

Cairn of Elsay is a Iron Age broch situated at Staxigoe in Caithness, northern Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM532.

What period does Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe date from?

Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch, staxigoe. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe?

Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe 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 SM532.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The Pap,broch 350m E of Hillhead (1.2 km), Wick Airfield bomb stores, 315m and 400m SSE and 470m SE of Upper Ackergill (2.9 km), Castle Girnigoe and Castle Sinclair (3.1 km).

Aubrey Research

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Research the area around Cairn of Elsay, broch, Staxigoe