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Rumster Broch is an Iron Age defensive tower situated 200 metres west-southwest of Forse in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. The monument stands on bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, a conglomerate and sandstone formation dating to the Middle Devonian period, which provides the underlying geology of this exposed northern landscape. Brochs are characteristically Scottish Iron Age structures, circular stone towers with hollow-walled construction that typically date to between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD, serving as fortified domestic or defensive structures for elite families.
The Rumster Broch occupies a strategic position in the landscape, reflecting the settlement patterns of Iron Age Caithness communities. The substantial drystone construction would have required considerable labour and resources, indicating the wealth and status of those who built and inhabited it. Such towers typically featured internal galleries within their double walls and multiple floors accessed by stone staircases.
The site is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under scheduled monument reference SM573, recognising its archaeological and historical significance. It remains an important example of Iron Age architectural achievement in the north of Scotland, where brochs are particularly numerous and well-preserved.
Rumster, broch 200m WSW of, Forse is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM573. View the official record →
Rumster Broch is an Iron Age defensive tower situated 200 metres west-southwest of Forse in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM573.
Rumster, broch 200m WSW of, Forse dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch 200m wsw of, forse. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Rumster, broch 200m WSW of, Forse 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 SM573.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Latheronwheel Bridge,broch 450m S of (5.3 km), Latheronwheel House,promontory fort 1100m SE of (5.6 km), Latheronwheel House, long cairn 850m SE of (5.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Rumster, broch 200m WSW of, Forse'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.
Rumster, broch 200m WSW of, Forse stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.