Broch of Gurness Reconstruction, Orkney; commissioned by HES’

Broch of Gurness Reconstruction, Orkney; commissioned by HES’

Another of the Broch of Gurness illustrations done for Historic Environment Scotland. This one shows the Broch at its full height before later in its history it was reduced. It is believed that originally all there was, was the Broch, and the ditches, the village surrounding it was added later. There was actually loads of other Brochs like this one, dotted along the coast on both the mainland Orkney island and the smaller Rousay Island, shown across the water here. It must have been quite a bustling area and busy shipping route as it was later in its history as well. Also seen here was an area which was left without houses or had any signs of settlement when the site was excavated. It is theorised that maybe it was an area for slaughtering animals or other activities hidden away from the more visible front side.