Balvalaich

Nearest town:
Dornoch (33km SSW)
OS reference:
NC945190
OS sheet:
17
Latitude:
58° 8' 50.75 N
Longitude:
3° 47' 33.03 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Balvalaich (Broch) by LesHamilton

The ruins of Balvalaich broch sit in a splendid location in the Strath of Kildonan, overlooking the River Helmsdale.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018
Image of Balvalaich (Broch) by LesHamilton

This section of walling with its huge boulders, on the western side of Balvalaich Broch, is the first significant feature seen on approaching the structure.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018
Image of Balvalaich (Broch) by LesHamilton

Some of the large stones comprising the foundation level course on the eastern flank of the broch.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018
Image of Balvalaich (Broch) by LesHamilton

Though severely denuded, this section emphasises the original 4.5 metre width of the broch walls.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018
Image of Balvalaich (Broch) by LesHamilton

This is a composite of several photographs giving a panoramic overview of Balvalaich broch. The interior is simply a wilderness of small stones.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018

Articles

Balvalaich

LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 5, 2018

Visited: June 28, 2018

To visit this broch (which lies about 4½ km west of Kilphedir) park on the verge beside a large stone walled enclosure to the south of the road through the Strath of Helmsdale at NGR NC 945 188. The broch cannot be seen from the road, but it lies only about 100 metres uphill. Across the road, a path heads uphill towards a gate bearing a notice that this is part of the Suisgill Estate. Pass through the gate and follow the path uphill, looking to the right for the pile of rubble that signifies the remains of Balvalaich broch, and cut across to it.

Balvalaich broch is severely denuded, having been quarried for stone when the original road was laid through the strath. All that remains in the interior is a wilderness of small stones. Nevertheless, both inner and outer wall faces can still be traced, with some particularly large foundation course stones surviving on both the southwest and eastern quadrants.

Sites within 20km of Balvalaich

Like all websites everywhere, we use cookies.