0 a prehistoric (= from an ancient time before there were written records) round stone tower in northern Scotland: --
The broch consists of a drystone tower with a diameter of around 18.6 metres with walls about 4 metres thick at the base.
The archaeologists who excavated it believes that it was a hollowed tower type broch with an internal wood structure.
The excavations showed that there had been two phases of occupation before the broch was built.
The broch has a wall 4.1 metres thick, enclosing an area 9.7 metres in diameter.
Though there was much argument in the past, it is now generally accepted that brochs were roofed, probably with a conical timber framed roof covered with a locally sourced thatch.
The largest constructions that date from this era are the circular brochs and duns and wheelhouses.
There are differences between the various areas in which brochs are found, with regard to position, dimensions and likely status.
The origin of brochs is a subject of continuing research.
