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The broch at the north end of the Loch of Ayre on St Mary's in Orkney is an Iron Age circular stone tower, characteristic of the distinctive architectural tradition of northern Scotland dating to the last few centuries before the common era. Brochs of this period were substantial defensive or prestige structures, typically featuring thick dry-stone walls with internal galleries and a single entrance, though the surviving remains at this location reflect the fragmentary state of many such monuments. The Orkney islands contain a notable concentration of broch sites, reflecting the strategic and cultural importance of the archipelago during the Iron Age. This example contributes to the archaeological record of Iron Age settlement patterns and construction practices in Scotland's northern regions.
Loch of Ayre, broch at N end of,St Mary's is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1462. View the official record →
The broch at the north end of the Loch of Ayre on St Mary's in Orkney is an Iron Age circular stone tower, characteristic of the distinctive architectural tradition of northern Scotland dating to the last few centuries before the common era. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1462.
Loch of Ayre, broch at N end of,St Mary's dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch at n end of,st mary's. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.
Loch of Ayre, broch at N end of,St Mary's 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 SM1462.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Lamb Holm,settlement 450m WSW of Italian Chapel (1.6 km), Holm Battery, coast artillery battery 195m SW of East Breckan (2.3 km), East Broch of Burray (3.2 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Loch of Ayre, broch at N end of,St Mary's