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Upper Latheron is a broch, an Iron Age circular stone tower that once dominated the landscape of Caithness in far northern Scotland. Built upon foundations of Middle Old Red Sandstone conglomerate and sandstone dating to the Middle Devonian period, this monument represents one of Scotland's most distinctive prehistoric architectural achievements. Brochs served defensive, residential and possibly ritual purposes during the Iron Age, their thick stone walls and narrow entrances providing secure strongholds for elite families and their communities.
The broch stands 230 metres east of Latheron village, positioned to exploit the local geology of the Caithness plain. The underlying bedrock of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone would have provided accessible stone for the broch's construction, whilst the relatively elevated site offered commanding views across the surrounding terrain. Like other brochs, Upper Latheron originally featured concentric stone walls with internal galleries and a central courtyard, though the structure now survives only as substantial remains.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a Scheduled Monument under reference SM598, recognising its significance to our understanding of Iron Age settlement and social organisation in northern Britain. The broch's survival amid the moorlands and agricultural landscape of Caithness reflects the enduring character of this remote region, where such prehistoric structures remain prominent features of the archaeological heritage.
Upper Latheron, broch 230m E of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM598. View the official record →
Upper Latheron is a broch, an Iron Age circular stone tower that once dominated the landscape of Caithness in far northern Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM598.
Upper Latheron, broch 230m 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.
Upper Latheron, broch 230m 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 SM598.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Knockinnon,broch (1 km), Inver,fort,post medieval house and look-out post 570m SE of (2.7 km), Ballachly,chapel and graveyard 90m SW of (3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Upper Latheron, broch 230m 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.
Upper Latheron, broch 230m 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.