Broch of Gurness, Orkney Isles, Scotland

In this video we visit the Broch of Gurness on the Orkney Isles.

Brochs are unique to Scotland there are more than 500 of them, mostly in the northern and Western Highlands and the Islands.

Many Bros stood alone.But sizable villagers often surrounded those in Orkney.The broch village at Gurness is one of the most impressive.
The village here began between 500 BC and 200 BC.

Broch of Gurness was probably home to the chief family of the community with its massively thick walls, it may also have been a defensive refuge.
The broke originally had
. a single Central hearth
. Ring of Stone built cupboards around the wall.
. Sunken water basin
. Set of stairs between the Broch , which led to the upper Floors.

The village at Gurness is the best preserved of all Broch villages

There are numerous houses. The entrance of each led to a large living and sleeping room off which were smaller side rooms.

Somehouses had a yard which was open to the sky and a shed.


Viking Grave
The Vikings who settled in orkney from about ad 800 often use the mounds of earlier settlement sites as burial places. The grave of a Viking woman was found at Gurness, along with some grave goods , a sickle blade and a pair of tortoise brooches.

This site is open from the 1st of April to the 30th September.
Booking can be made online in advance and is £7.50 per adult and £4.50 per child Are you can pay on arrival
On the day we visited , it was free entry As there was no extra members of staff to give the guided tour. The visitors centre was closed.
The site is run by historic environment Scotland.
It is free to park.

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