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Hillock of Howe is a broch, an Iron Age stone tower built on the Orkney Mainland. The monument stands upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, which formed during the Middle Devonian period from conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. This durable local geology provided the stone for construction and has supported the broch's survival on the Orkney landscape.
Brochs are distinctive circular fortified structures peculiar to Iron Age Scotland, dating broadly from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. These towers featured double-walled construction with internal staircases rising through the cavity between walls, affording their occupants commanding views and defensive advantage. The Orkney islands contain numerous brochs, indicating the archipelago's significance during this period.
Hillock of Howe is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1328, reflecting its archaeological importance. As a broch, it provides evidence of Iron Age settlement patterns, social organisation and constructional techniques across northern Britain. The site contributes to understanding how defensive and residential architecture adapted to Orkney's distinctive environment and local stone resources.
Hillock of Howe,broch is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1328. View the official record →
Hillock of Howe is a broch, an Iron Age stone tower built on the Orkney Mainland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1328.
Hillock of Howe,broch 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.
Hillock of Howe,broch 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 SM1328.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Mor Stein or Standing Stone of Shapinsay (1.5 km), Castle Bloody,chambered cairn (2.4 km), Helliar Holm,chambered cairn (2.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Hillock of Howe,broch'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.
Hillock of Howe,broch stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.