Caithness Broch Project

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Caithness Broch Project Rebuilding the past to protect our future. Join us on a journey to re-create a Scottish legend! What is a broch? Why build one in Caithness?

The Caithness Broch Project (CBP) is a registered Scottish charity (SC046307) founded upon the collective enthusiasm of two local lads for Caithness and its history. Our aim is to rebuild an Iron Age broch in Caithness, which would serve as an iconic tourist attraction and vivid learning experience, as well as provide a much welcome economic boost to the county. Caithness has for too long depended on Dounreay to provide financial security in the area. However, as Dounreay begins to wind down, Caithness needs to look to new avenues of growth, and diversify its employment sector. There are areas which offer hope and potential for economic growth, not least the expansion of renewable energy projects in the county. At the core of these energy developments is the ethos of sustainability, and the fact that it exploits previously overlooked resources which our county has in such abundance. We believe the Caithness Broch Project shares the same principles - it would prove to be sustainable, and keys into the idea that Caithness's rich, vibrant heritage, both historically and archaeologically, is a valuable resource which has been vastly under-exploited for too long. Brochs are possibly the finest examples of ancient British architecture. Built between 400 BC and 100 AD, the purpose of these buildings has been much debated. It can be agreed that these were impressive buildings, some reaching up to 45ft in height, which would have made an imposing presence on the landscape. There are several reasons to build a broch in Caithness. Firstly, Caithness has an abundance of brochs; indeed Caithness has a higher concentration of brochs than any other area in Scotland. It makes sense to build a broch in what was once a broch hotspot! In addition to providing an iconic tourist attraction, the building of a broch would have several other benefits. It would provide employment, from the construction phase, through to long after the building has been completed. The construction phase would help bring the dying trade of Caithness drystone dyking to the attention of the public. Drystone dyking workshops would be provided, allowing the public to come and try out a once-thriving skill. The Caithness flagstone used to build the broch itself would also serve as a magnificent platform as a durable and product to not only Scotland, but to the rest of the world. Caithness Flagstone has seen something of a resurgence lately and is once more being used in projects and cities across the globe - the broch would be the ultimate example of building with Caithness Flag! Our construction phase would involve elements of experimental archaeology, providing archaeologists and builders alike with constantly developing insights into Iron-Age building techniques, and becoming an important academic study and resource. Once the structure has been completed, we plan to furnish it with items and ‘furniture’ of the time, as well as employing re-enactors and craftsmen to showcase what life was like over 2000 years ago. The activities and stories would fascinate tourists and locals alike; we would also hope to inspire local schoolchildren, as well as pupils from all over Scotland, with a piece of ‘living history’. The broch will be a hub centre for pointing tourists to interesting places around Caithness via the proposed network of signposted sites with improved access, parking areas and interpretive panels at each site. We would hope that even after the broch’s completion, the CBP would continue to further strengthen Caithness’s position as a heritage tourism destination. A full-scale, ‘living history’ broch would undoubtedly be an impressive and welcome addition to the heritage tourism in both in the Highlands and the all of Scotland; we need only to look at Orkney to see the importance of heritage tourism. 2014 saw the publication of ‘Our Place in Time’, Scotland’s first ever historic environment strategy, which prioritized heritage tourism, as well as “enhancing participation” and a “broad-ranging approach to learning” – we believe the CBP fits well within these ideas. We believe the CBP has the potential to really make a difference: boosting the county’s heritage tourism trade; creating a variety of jobs and teaching skills; becoming a valuable academic study; and providing a very special and inspiring icon for Caithness.

here's the crackyou can choose to not be bothered by AI despite the fact it is being favoured by truly maniacal techbros...
10/10/2026

here's the crack

you can choose to not be bothered by AI despite the fact it is being favoured by truly maniacal techbros to put thousands of people out of jobs thus rocking every economy across the face of the planet, whilst it simultaneously hoovers up every last drop of our most precious resource at a frightening rate, and at the same time is responsible for killing every last damn brain cell we have left - that's your choice

but if you still turn a blind eye after knowing it puts stairs on the -outside- of brochs, then you're real piece of work

We're doing a talk! With 50% more pointing at mounds than your average talk!Delighted to be talking about brochs for Hig...
29/09/2026

We're doing a talk! With 50% more pointing at mounds than your average talk!

Delighted to be talking about brochs for Highland Historic Environment Record at the Highland Archaeology Festival 2026.

For in-person tickets, see the below link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/highland-archaeology-conference-2026-in-person-tickets-1999089650960?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6CgHx6lpLPz9lgAjHwYC4xVNytyG_Rt7Q2D2Ttnf5176km-Jl5gy-yxxzcWA_aem_cYKyxhmdqtbg-TMfcdKqwQ

If you want to tune into our talks, then tickets can be bought online:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/highland-archaeology-conference-2026-online-tickets-1999260720634?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4D6OHH8qP5i3UQ57iHUdmvVEYyWB55JqILQ7b_EfmOtcPUsZvqZVaPHb1_Cw_aem_BnK8owyMzhsl_7wqiJoV_Q

Thanks to the 40 or so attendees who joined us for our talk at the beautiful and super duper interesting Tarbat Discover...
20/09/2026

Thanks to the 40 or so attendees who joined us for our talk at the beautiful and super duper interesting Tarbat Discovery Centre last week. Someone wearing a in the audience!! If you want to be as cool as them then head over to our broch shop. Link in bio!*

DYK we're always down to talk brochs for your org. We've heard that we're somewhere between "Inspiring" and "Absolute Cowboys". You can decide for yourself when you invite us down. We only require travel expenses and somewhere to park our horses.

*if you're reading this on Facebook then visit https://www.thebrochproject.co.uk/shop/

Goin' with the flow...
18/09/2026

Goin' with the flow...

🪦The Flow Country is covered in archaeological sites, from prehistoric burial chambers to medieval forts. 🪦

The Grey Cairns of Camster, near Lybster, are impressive burial chambers built more than 5,000 years ago. Here, you can find a fascinating glimpse of a time when people used the more fertile lands to farm around the peat bogs.

The stones around Achavanich (sometimes called Achkinloch) had likely been the result of months carefully arranging the standing stones we see today. Each has been placed with their edges facing the centre of an incomplete oval. While we're unsure exactly what the stones were used for, like other standing stones, they hint at rituals that depended on a relationship with the landscape.

And not to forget our friends at the Caithness Broch Project whose ambitious aims of constructing a replica broch will allow us to engage with the past on an unprecedented level. Caithness has one of the highest concentration of broch sites in Scotland and this project gives a fantastic opportunity, not only to tell Caithness’ story, but that of the formation of prehistoric Scotland too.

📸 - Andy Hay

🚪 DOORS OPEN DAY in CAITHNESS🚪Some of the places and spaces which are open this year as part of the Doors Open Days Cait...
18/09/2026

🚪 DOORS OPEN DAY in CAITHNESS🚪

Some of the places and spaces which are open this year as part of the Doors Open Days Caithness and Sutherland - please do get out and about and explore these wonderful spots.

(No brochs on the menu but brochs dont have doors anymore. They're always open)

⛪ Canisbay Kirk
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 17:00)
20th September 2026 (13:00 - 17:00)

Historic Kirk. Present building built in 1720. Site of worship since 6th century and possibly remains of Pictish settlement below it. Queen Mother worshipped here for nearly 50 years. Burial place of Jan De Groot . His gravestone is in the vestibule.

There will be someone present to point out items of interest and provide information about the history of the church and its royal connection.

⚔️ Clan Gunn - Highland Clan, Heritage Centre and Society
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

The Clan Gunn Museum has an exhibition showing the origins of Clan Gunn, its history leading up until the modern day and notable family members. The Clan archives are also stored onsite and are available to the public and there is a small shop selling Clan Gunn related items.

🦖 Castlehill Heritage Society
19th September 2026 (14:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (14:00 - 16:00)

Castlehill Heritage Centre will be open for visitors to explore our current exhibition called “Paving the World” which explains the story of Castlehill and the Caithness Flagstone Industry using stories, photographs and artefacts.

The Jack Saxon Fossil Collection and our WW2 RAF Castletown display, including a Merlin engine, will also be available to view.

⛵ Dunbeath Heritage Museum
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

An Accredited museum in an old schoolhouse showcasing Caithness archaeology and social history, including Bronze Age and Neolithic artefacts and Pictish stones, and objects from the Duke of Kent's tragic plane crash in 1942. Also featuring the typewriter of Scottish author Neil Gunn, who was born in Dunbeath and featured the local landscape in many of his books.

After looking at the museum, head down to the harbour to see the restored Yole in the boathouse and restored buildings from the Villages fishing industry.

🚗 Halkirk Heritage & Vintage Motor Society
19th September 2026 (11:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (11:00 - 16:00)

The Old School has been transformed into a heritage centre and vintage motor museum. It consists of a large new build area along with an area where the vehicles are displayed, a heritage room, exhibition, room, reading room and a smaller ‘garage workshop’ space.

For Doors Open Days, all areas of the centre will be open to visitors to browse. Booking not required.

🌾 John O'Groats Mill
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

Self-guided and guided tours.
Children’s activities in the afternoon.

Guided machinery demonstration tours at 1200 and 1500.

⛳ Lybster Golf Club
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 14:00)
Lybster Golf Club is celebrating its centenary in 2026 -visit our 123 year old clubhouse, the original station building from the Lybster - Wick railway line.

🐑 Mary Ann's Cottage
19th September 2026 (12:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (12:00 - 16:00)

The cottage and outside buildings will be open for visitors to view.

Guided tours yes, wherever possible, but with no specified times.

🏺 Northshore Pottery
19th September 2026 (11:00 - 17:00)

Wood fired and soda glazed studio pottery and sculpture. Gallery and working studio. Jenny will show people around the Mill building and the wood kiln as requested when people arrive. Booking not required.

☢️ Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive
20th September 2026 (11:00 - 15:00)

Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives are based at Wick Airport and are home to the historical archives of the county of Caithness which date from 1469 to the present day and consist of documents in different formats including charters, minute books, correspondence, maps, photographs and plans. These historic collections are available to members of the public for family and local history research. Nucleus is also home to the archives of the UK civil nuclear industry.

Exhibition and archives display within our Community Room and Public Searchroom with links to the annual theme of architectural heritage.

Scheduled tours to our Conservation Studio and Repository to learn about Nucleus and how our collections are preserved for posterity.

Guided Tours

Behind the scenes tour at 1300

⛪ Old St Peter's Kirk Preservation Association
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 14:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 14:00)

Old St Peter's Kirk is one of the most iconic buildings in Caithness. Its importance was recognised nationally when it became a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Category A Listed building.

The area on which the church is built has been occupied since Viking times. There have been many additions to the church over the centuries until it was closed to worship in 1832. Although now roofless and in ruins it is still a hidden gem with a serene atmosphere of its own protecting secrets within its walls.

Please note: the graveyard has very narrow gravel paths in some areas and access to the inner church is stepped down with no handrails. Every assistance will be given but there may be issues for those with impaired mobility to enjoy the entire venue.

Volunteers will be present to give tours and more information.

💍 Patricia Niemann: Studio and Showroom
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 17:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 17:00)

⛪ Serendipity B&B Latheron
19th September 2026 (11:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (11:00 - 16:00)

Serendipity West Latheron Church will demonstrate the flexibility that empty buildings can have a functionality for the present and for the future whilst recognising the buildings original function.

👁 St. Fergus Lodge of Freemasons No. 466
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

The St Fergus lodge has been in existence for over 133 years and the first stone of the current building was laid in 1895. The building was never let to outside bodies, and the Lodge gradually built up its furniture and equipment. Over the years many gifts have been given by Brethren of the Lodge, the majority of which are still in use today.

🥃 Stannergill Wh**ky
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 17:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 17:00)

Come along for Doors Open Days for a tour of the building.

On the 19th and 20th September 2026, we will host a free 30 min guided Heritage and Conservation Tour.

The short tour will have a focus on how Dunnet Bay Distillers has preserved the old ruins of Castletown Mill with careful consideration of its history and reimagined the building as new destination and wh**ky distillery which will safeguard it's for future generations.

This tour will be based outdoors in the Courtyard with short walks to other external areas. Attendees should dress for the weather. In very poor weather conditions, the tour will relocate to an indoor location.

As the building itself was a 19th century grain mill with a long and rich history in the local area, involving many local families it has been an important part of Castletown and the wider community for many generations.

When Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd purchased the building in 2020 it had been derelict for 32 years and was in a state of ruin. This meant that both the building and its history were at risk of being lost completely. Through considerate custodianship Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd has conserved and restored the building in a way that showcases its original design and features like the traditional Caithness Flagstone Roof on the older wing of the building which was done in a diminishing style as it was when it was first constructed. Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd is also committed to preserving and sharing the stores that made the building such an important landmark in the local community. The owners continue to speak to relatives of the people who lived and worked at the mill to ensure that we can share their stories respectfully and accurately.

Their overall goal is to create a new and exciting way for future generations to engage with the past through the history and heritage of the building, while giving the building a new lease of life as a wh**ky distillery, restaurant and overall visitor destination.
This will engage a wider and different audience that will help to ensure that the building remains meaningful, accessible and alive for future generations.

💨 The Healing Hub - Oxygen Therapy Centre, Wick
19th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)
20th September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

We provide oxygen therapy to individuals with various health ailments.

Breathing oxygen under pressure can make a life changing difference to overall physical well-being. It's about helping your body heal itself.

Individuals with inflammatory conditions may be helped by oxygen therapy. They include MS, ME, Long Covid, Leg Ulcers, Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis and Sports Injuries.

🐟 Waterlines Lybster
19 September 2026 (10:00 - 15:00)
20 September 2026 (12:00 - 15:00)

Waterlines is a heritage centre and museum telling the story of the village of Lybster. They have displays relating to the history, geology and the local environment, a harbour, lighthouse, pebble beach and coffee / craft shop.

They will offer tours of our exhibitions and activities for children.
They will have an exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of Waterlines and the 100th anniversary of Lybster Golf Club.
There will be a guided walk around the harbour area at 1pm on Saturday (19th).

📸 Wick Heritage Museum
20th September 2026 (11:00 - 15:00)

15/09/2026

This is absolutely top-tier community engagement through archaeology with some completely fantastic visuals. Well done to Outer Hebrides Unearthed. Please don't hate us but we're basically going to copy what you've done here, one day!

⚔️ Vikings and Volunteers! ⚔️A couple of events for your diaries this weekend for Doors Open Days.Saturday 19th Septembe...
15/09/2026

⚔️ Vikings and Volunteers! ⚔️

A couple of events for your diaries this weekend for Doors Open Days.

Saturday 19th September - 10am to 2pm
Sunday 20th September - 10am - 2pm

The wonderful volunteers at Old St Peter's Kirk Preservation Association are on hand at Old St. Peter's Kirk to give you guided tours of this fantastic historic monument - which dates back to the Norse era!

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Sat 19th September - 2.30pm
Sun 20th September - 2.30pm

With Vikings in mind - Bizarre and Bloody Tales of the Vikings in Caithness with Stephen Barnaby for the Old St Peter's Kirk Preservation Association - at the North Coast Visitor Centre on Saturday 19th, and then on Sunday 20th you can catch the talk at St. Peter's and the Holy Rood Church in Thurso.

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On the other side of the county there's a Doors Open Days with John O'Groats Mill, with free guided tours at 12pm and 3pm. Enjoy a gentle saunter around this beautifully and lovingly-conserved historic mill!

We been thinking. Should we do another run of our Peculiar Prints? Let us know if you'd be interested!
13/09/2026

We been thinking. Should we do another run of our Peculiar Prints? Let us know if you'd be interested!

12/09/2026

Oooh baby do you know what thats worth
Latheronwheel is a place on earth

s math sin!! 🥰We're tremendously excited to meet Màiri McAllan MSP for Clydesdale, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Gae...
10/09/2026

s math sin!! 🥰

We're tremendously excited to meet Màiri McAllan MSP for Clydesdale, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Gaelic, to see how the Scottish Government can help our project.

A big thank you to David Green MSP for securing this visit north for Màiri!

Address

Seaview House, Harbour Road
Lybster
KW36AH

Telephone

07528675774

Website

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