An Dùn

Heritage Site in Caithness

Scotland

An Dùn

An Dun Broch in Berriedale View south over the An Dun Broch in Berriedale.  The Broch is the ruined 'mound' on the right.  Judging by area of ruin, this Broch would have been relatively large and was surrounded with trenches and defensive structures.  The mound to the left of the Broch is not shown as a feature on the OS 25k or 50k mapping.  However it does appear as though it might be artificial.  The neighbouring Broch at Bad a' Choilich is in sight, about 1km away
An Dun Broch in Berriedale Credit: Andrew Tryon

An Dùn, located in Caithness, Scotland, is a historic heritage site that holds great significance for the local community and visitors alike. The site is an Iron Age broch, which is a type of ancient roundhouse that was prevalent in Scotland during the Iron Age period.

An Dùn is situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the North Sea, providing a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. The broch itself is a circular stone structure with double walls, creating a unique and sturdy construction. The inner space would have served as living quarters, while the outer wall provided additional protection and housed various chambers. The broch is estimated to have been built around 2,000 years ago, making it an impressive testament to the advanced engineering skills of the time.

Visitors to An Dùn can explore the site and get a glimpse into the lives of the people who once inhabited the broch. The remains of stone hearths, storage pits, and staircases can still be seen, offering insight into the daily activities and architecture of the period. The site is also surrounded by a defensive wall, further highlighting the strategic importance of the location.

An Dùn is managed by local authorities and is open to the public, attracting history enthusiasts, archaeologists, and curious tourists. Interpretive panels and signage provide information about the site's history and significance, enhancing the visitor experience. The broch is not only a valuable archaeological site but also a symbol of the region's rich cultural heritage, connecting present-day Caithness to its ancient past.

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An Dùn Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.2037/-3.5273 or Grid Reference ND1024. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

An Dun Broch in Berriedale View south over the An Dun Broch in Berriedale.  The Broch is the ruined 'mound' on the right.  Judging by area of ruin, this Broch would have been relatively large and was surrounded with trenches and defensive structures.  The mound to the left of the Broch is not shown as a feature on the OS 25k or 50k mapping.  However it does appear as though it might be artificial.  The neighbouring Broch at Bad a' Choilich is in sight, about 1km away
An Dun Broch in Berriedale
View south over the An Dun Broch in Berriedale. The Broch is the ruined 'mound' on the right. Judging by area of ruin, this Broch would have been relatively large and was surrounded with trenches and defensive structures. The mound to the left of the Broch is not shown as a feature on the OS 25k or 50k mapping. However it does appear as though it might be artificial. The neighbouring Broch at Bad a' Choilich is in sight, about 1km away
Broch at Bad a' Choilich in Berriedale View east over the Bad a' Choilich Broch down Berriedale water towards the east coast of Scotland.  This Broch is relatively small and ruinous.  The adjacent estate track appears to have partly been built over the Broch.
Broch at Bad a' Choilich in Berriedale
View east over the Bad a' Choilich Broch down Berriedale water towards the east coast of Scotland. This Broch is relatively small and ruinous. The adjacent estate track appears to have partly been built over the Broch.
Berriedale Water A view over Berriedale Water from near to An Dun Broch.
Berriedale Water
A view over Berriedale Water from near to An Dun Broch.
The South Slopes of Meall na Caorach View south east over Berriedale from the slope of Meall na Caorach.
The South Slopes of Meall na Caorach
View south east over Berriedale from the slope of Meall na Caorach.
The Dun Burn Looking northwest towards East Scaraben.
The Dun Burn
Looking northwest towards East Scaraben.
The Dun Burn
The Dun Burn
Hut circle above Berriedale Water Looking towards the coast at Berriedale.
The hut measures about 8 x 6m and it one of several in the area (ref <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/7541/details/allt+a+chriosduidhe" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/7541/details/allt+a+chriosduidhe">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ).
Hut circle above Berriedale Water
Looking towards the coast at Berriedale. The hut measures about 8 x 6m and it one of several in the area (ref LinkExternal link ).
Hut circle above the Forkin Looking towards the bealach between Scaraben and East Scaraben.
The hut circle has a diameter of 9m (ref <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/7508/details/the+forkin" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/7508/details/the+forkin">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ).
Hut circle above the Forkin
Looking towards the bealach between Scaraben and East Scaraben. The hut circle has a diameter of 9m (ref LinkExternal link ).
Footbridge over Dun Burn The poles replace a girder and stone slab bridge, the remains of which are nearby.
Footbridge over Dun Burn
The poles replace a girder and stone slab bridge, the remains of which are nearby.
Dun Burn The burn flows through the trees on the lower right of the photo below the muirburn.  The southern end of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2413690">ND0926 : The Forkin</a> is on the left of the photo.
Dun Burn
The burn flows through the trees on the lower right of the photo below the muirburn. The southern end of ND0926 : The Forkin is on the left of the photo.
The Forkin Looking towards East Scaraben (left) and Meall na Caorach (right).
The Forkin is a ravine approximately 800m long through which a tributary of the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2413667">ND0925 : Dun Burn</a> flows.
The Forkin
Looking towards East Scaraben (left) and Meall na Caorach (right). The Forkin is a ravine approximately 800m long through which a tributary of the ND0925 : Dun Burn flows.
Moorland Track near Berriedale
Moorland Track near Berriedale
The End of the Track The boggy end of a moorland track near Berriedale.
The End of the Track
The boggy end of a moorland track near Berriedale.
Beinn Nan Coireag Trig Point Flush Bracket S6873
Beinn Nan Coireag Trig Point Flush Bracket S6873
Track below Beinn Nan Coireag
Track below Beinn Nan Coireag
Stile - I have to say I wasn't a great fan
Stile - I have to say I wasn't a great fan
Fields above Berriedale Water Looking over the Berriedale Water towards the Scaraben ridge
Fields above Berriedale Water
Looking over the Berriedale Water towards the Scaraben ridge
Track on Langwell Estate Looking east over the North Sea towards Beatrice oilfields and wind turbines
Track on Langwell Estate
Looking east over the North Sea towards Beatrice oilfields and wind turbines
Show me another place!

An Dùn is located at Grid Ref: ND1024 (Lat: 58.2037, Lng: -3.5273)

Unitary Authority: Highlands

Police Authority: Highland and Islands

What 3 Words

///flip.restless.blurs. Near Dunbeath, Highland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.2037,-3.5273
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 58.2006014/-3.5286873
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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