Dun Carloway Broch

Overview

Dun Carloway Brochhas to be on your "to do" list when visiting Lewis. dating from the Iron Age, brochs are found throughout Scotland and served the purpose of defensive homes that locals could retreat into when under attack from marauding forces. Be that attacking Vikings or rival Clans. 

Dun Carloway, like other brochs, demonstrates some very refined construction techniques and the neatly aligned stones certainly suggest that their construction was the labour of skilled workmen. The best feature of Dun Carloway is the well-preserved staircase within the inner and outer circular walls. If you are prepared to get down on your haunches, you can duck through a low doorway that gives you access to a "staircase" that climbs 10 - 12 feet above the "ground floor" before running out of steps.

Dun Carloway is one of the best-preserved examples of a broch and some sections of the outer wall stand ~9 metres tall so they have survived almost intact. One of the other features that has survived is the "cell", to the right of the main entrance, where dogs would have been kept to ward off any intruders. You can also make out the ledges that would have supported the inner floor.

There is a small unmanned visitor centre with a walk-through display that tries to recreate some of the dark atmosphere and sounds that you might have experienced in the broch when it was habited. The visitor centre also has several toilets.

Please Note: You don't have to walk too far to get to Dun Carloway broch, but the position is quite exposed to the elements so be sure to have suitable clothing for the visit.