© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Tulach Mor is a broch situated on the eastern bank of the River Thurso in Caithness, Scotland. This Iron Age stone tower, built in the centuries around the start of the Christian era, commands a position overlooking the river valley in the far north of mainland Scotland. The broch stands upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, formed during the Middle Devonian period, comprising conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. This local geology would have provided ready material for construction and defensive advantage above the riverside landscape.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under scheduled monument reference SM593, recognising its archaeological significance as evidence of Iron Age settlement and territorial control in the north of Scotland. Brochs, these distinctive hollow-walled towers, are found nowhere else in the world, and their purpose—whether defensive stronghold, storage facility, or symbol of status—remains subject to scholarly debate. Tulach Mor's riverside location reflects a pattern common to many northern brochs, positioned to command strategic routes and resources.
Tulach Mor,broch,E bank of River Thurso is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM593. View the official record →
Tulach Mor is a broch situated on the eastern bank of the River Thurso in Caithness, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM593.
Tulach Mor,broch,E bank of River Thurso dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch,e bank of river thurso. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Tulach Mor,broch,E bank of River Thurso 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 SM593.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cairn Merk,broch 800m SSE of Bridge of Westerdale (2.2 km), Dirlot Castle (2.4 km), Dirlot, stone rows 550m SW of (2.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Tulach Mor,broch,E bank of River Thurso'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.
Tulach Mor,broch,E bank of River Thurso stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.