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Spittal Farm broch is an Iron Age stone tower located in Caithness, near the north coast of Scotland. Brochs are distinctive circular drystone structures unique to Iron Age Scotland, typically dating between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD, and served as fortified residences or communal strongholds for local populations. The monument stands on bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, formed during the Middle Devonian period approximately 380 million years ago, comprising conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone that would have influenced both the construction materials available and the site's defensive positioning.
The broch is situated 180 metres east of Spittal Farm. Its location on the relatively elevated and exposed terrain of northern Caithness reflects the typical strategic placement of such structures, commanding views across the surrounding landscape. The underlying geology, with its robust sandstone foundation, provided suitable stone for the substantial hollow-walled construction characteristic of Caithness brochs, allowing for the distinctive gallery chambers and internal stairs that defined this architectural form.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM582, recognising its significance as a rare surviving example of Iron Age monumental architecture in the far north of Britain.
Spittal Farm, broch 180m E of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM582. View the official record →
Spittal Farm broch is an Iron Age stone tower located in Caithness, near the north coast of Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM582.
Spittal Farm, broch 180m E of 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.
Spittal Farm, broch 180m E of 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 SM582.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Knockglass,broch E of (1.1 km), Ballone,broch 360m NE of,Spittal (2.1 km), Dale Farm,broch 800m SE of (3.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Spittal Farm, broch 180m E of'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.
Spittal Farm, broch 180m E of stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.