Scotland in Pagan Times; The Iron AgeAnderson, Joseph
History
Scotland in Pagan Times; The Iron Age
Anderson, Joseph
Scotland -- Antiquities
The East Broch of Burray, in Orkney, explored by Mr. Farrer, presented
the appearance of a green mound 20 feet high, surrounded by an
embankment. The mound when excavated was found to cover the lower
portion of a circular tower of uncemented masonry (Fig. 180). The wall
of the tower was 15 feet thick, enclosing a central area 36 feet in
diameter. The entrance passage as usual went straight through the wall,
and had a guard-chamber opening from it on either side. The entrance to
one of these is shown in the section and the bar-hole behind it. There
were two other chambers constructed in the thickness of the wall opening
from the central area, and the entrance to the stair was placed as usual
to the left of the doorway, but on a higher level. In all its features
it closely resembles all that have been described, but in one feature it
differs from them. Close to the doorway, but outside the wall, there is
a well with a passage and steps leading down into it. There are other
examples which exhibit the same feature.
[Illustration: Fig. 181.—Diagrammatic Section of the Broch of
Borrowston, showing the well in the area. (From _Archæologia Scotica_,
vol. v.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 182.—Broch at Manse of Harray. (From a Plan by Mr.
George Petrie, 11⁄16 inch to 1 foot.)]
The Broch of Borrowston, in Shapinsay (Fig. 181), also in Orkney,
consisted of a wall 13 feet thick, enclosing a central area 33 feet in
diameter. Within the central area of the Broch there was a well 10 feet
deep, the lower part dug out of the solid rock, and the upper part faced
with dry-built masonry. The Broch of Okstrow, at Birsay in Orkney, which
consisted of a wall 12 feet thick, enclosing an area 45 feet in
diameter, had a well within the area and a drain from it leading out to
the outside of the structure. The Broch near the Manse at Harray (Fig.
182), excavated by Rev. Dr Traill, consisted of a wall 12 feet thick,
enclosing an area about 33 feet in diameter. It was surrounded by
outbuildings, which were not properly explored. There were no
guard-chambers on either side of the passage (B), which shows the checks
for the door, at 6 feet within the outer face of the wall. To the left
of the main entrance is the usual chamber (H) at the foot of the stair
(G), of which 19 steps remain; and two other oval chambers (E and F),
placed at nearly equal distances in the circumference of the wall,
complete the resemblance to the general type. Near the middle of the
area a subterranean passage terminating in five steps led to a well (D)
9 feet deep excavated in the rock. The subjoined sectional diagram (Fig.
183) shows the construction of the well, which still retained water when
the excavation of the Broch was made. The Brochs of Skinnet, Harpsdale,
and Kettleburn in Caithness, had each a well within the central area.
The well of the last-mentioned Broch is still utilised as the existing
water supply for the cottars, who live in houses close by constructed of
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