© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Gearsay Cairn is an Iron Age broch situated 240 metres south-west of West Gersa in Caithness, Scotland. The monument stands upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, a foundation of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone laid down during the Middle Devonian period. This geological setting is characteristic of the far north of mainland Scotland, where such sandstone formations underlie much of the landscape.
Brochs are distinctive circular stone towers that represent one of Scotland's most recognisable Iron Age structures. They typically feature double-walled construction with internal passages and chambers, designed to enclose space efficiently whilst maintaining considerable height. The form and function of brochs remain subjects of scholarly discussion, though they are understood to have served as defended residences, storage facilities or communal structures.
Gearsay Cairn is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM549, reflecting its significance as evidence of Iron Age settlement and architectural tradition in the far north of Scotland. The monument's survival in the Caithness landscape contributes to our understanding of prehistoric settlement patterns and building practices in this remote region.
Gearsay Cairn,broch 240m SW of West Gersa is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM549. View the official record →
Gearsay Cairn is an Iron Age broch situated 240 metres south-west of West Gersa in Caithness, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM549.
Gearsay Cairn,broch 240m SW of West Gersa dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch 240m sw of west gersa. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Gearsay Cairn,broch 240m SW of West Gersa 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 SM549.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kirk o'Moss, site of St Duthac's Chapel, Moss of Killimster (2.8 km), Bilbster, chambered cairn 1040m NNE of Bylbster Bridge (3.5 km), Grey Cairn, broch 475m SE of Lynegar (4.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Gearsay Cairn,broch 240m SW of West Gersa'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.
Gearsay Cairn,broch 240m SW of West Gersa stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.