Dun Dornadilla Broch View all content for Dun Dornadilla

Visited 2.6.12 Now, this is what I call remote. If you think the A838 in Sutherland is remote this is something else! You have to travel south for a good 10 miles or more along a minor road off the A838. No houses, no farms, no people – just a loch and a pretty valley to enjoy. Despite being a Historic Scotland site it is not sign posted which I guess isn’t too surprising when you consider how far away from anyone / anything it is! Eventually you arrive at the broch (right next to road) where there is a small lay by to park in. An information board states that the broch has never been excavated. I was disappointed to find that the doorway is blocked and the whole of the inside of the broch has been infilled and is now covered in grass. All you get to see is the outside. The walls of the broch are pretty well preserved and stand to a height of about 6 metres. On the plus side the scenery is lovely (as is everywhere in Sutherland) and the children enjoyed playing by a stream and watching tadpoles and a frog in a large puddle. A cuckoo sang out in the distance. Driving to the broch I saw one of the strangest things I have ever seen. As I described, this place really is in the middle of nowhere, yet we passed a chap in the middle of the valley floor (full of spiky grass) with a petrol powered grass strimmer! Why on earth he was cutting the grass there I have no idea. He was miles from anyone and anything! Very odd. Unless like me you are trying visit all the Historic Scotland sites I couldn’t really recommend the long detour off the A838 to visit the broch – although it is a pretty drive.

Posted by CARL 5th July 2012ce

Comments (2)
Featuring a lovely triangular lintel and right by a relatively minor road, this is one of the mainland's 'highest' brochs - in terms of elevation - so must say I'd recommend it wholeheartedly. Depends upon time... and if brochs are your thing, I guess.	Posted by GLADMAN 5th July 2012ce
Sorry - forgot to mention the lintel which is striking	Posted by CARL 6th July 2012ce
You must be logged in to add a comment