Thun, Switzerland
1180-1190
Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
c. 1200
Spiez, Switzerland
12th century
Thun, Switzerland
1846-1854
Büren an der Aare, Switzerland
1621-1624
Jegenstorf, Switzerland
12th century
Schwarzenburg, Switzerland
1573-1576
Aarberg, Switzerland
13th century
Münchenwiler, Switzerland
1535
Ringgenberg, Switzerland
13th century
Burgdorf, Switzerland
11th century
Nidau, Switzerland
13th century
Unterseen, Switzerland
13th century
Frutigen, Switzerland
c. 1200
La Neuveville, Switzerland
1283
Erlach, Switzerland
1090-1100
Wilderswil, Switzerland
12th century
Belp, Switzerland
1550-1554
Aarwangen, Switzerland
c. 1300
Bern, Switzerland
c. 1250
The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.
The remains of the central tower are up to 3.6 metres high, and the stone walls are up to 4.1 metres thick.