Clickimin Broch, Lerwick, United Kingdom

The Broch of Clickimin is a large and well preserved, though somewhat restored broch near Lerwick. Originally built on an island in Clickimin Loch (now increased in size by silting and drainage), it was approached by a stone causeway. The water-level in the loch was reduced in 1874, leaving the broch high and dry. The broch is situated within a walled enclosure and, unusually for brochs, features a large 'blockhouse' between the opening in the enclosure and the broch itself. Another unusual feature is a stone slab featuring sculptured footprints, located in the causeway which approached the site. Situated across the loch is the Clickimin Leisure Centre. The site is maintained by Historic Scotland.

According to its excavator Hamilton there were several periods of occupation of the site: Late Bronze Age farmstead, Early Iron Age farmstead, Iron Age fort period one (wall/blockhouse), Iron Age fort period two (plugging of the main entrance or landing stage), broch period, early wheelhouse settlement (inside the broch), late wheelhouse settlement (outside the broch). In 1989 Noel Fojut argued that Hamilton's schema was overcomplicated.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Martin Mcchesney (18 months ago)
Was lucky enough to arrive whilst a visit tour, was taking place, very interesting, and amazed at the broch.

Mary Freer (20 months ago)
Very tidy site within the environs of Lerwick ... apart from some thoughtless recently discarded litter. Well labelled.

Samantha Kelly (21 months ago)
I'd never heard of this type of fortified building before so being able to look around one that was quite so intact was a delight

Julian Adams (2 years ago)
First broch of the holiday and I found it really interested. Really.easy to find in Lerwick and quite well preserved. There's some debate of what it original and what has been rebuilt from previously 'borrowed' stones. We wondered round for a bit and the kids could crawl into a small tunnel that lead to a large bedroom or storeroom in the walls. No way was I going to fit!!

Agata Runowska-McMillan (2 years ago)
If you're visiting Lerwick, you should definitely visit this broch. The site is very well maintained and easy to walk around.

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Clickimin Broch

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