Dun Carloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Chàrlabhaigh) is a broch situated in the district of Carloway, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland (grid reference NB18994122). It is a remarkably properly preserved broch – on the east aspect components of the outdated wall still reach to 9 metres tall.

Identify and etymology
[edit]
The broch identified in the present day as Dun Carloway takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic Dùn Chàrlabhaigh. The primary aspect, dùn, merely means “fort” in Gaelic and is usually used in Scotland for prehistoric or early historic fortified websites, together with brochs.[1]

The second component, Càrlabhaigh, refers to the district of Carloway on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. The exact that means of the name is uncertain, however most students join it to Outdated Norse, reflecting the Norse settlement of the Hebrides between the 9th and 13th centuries.[2]

A extensively accepted interpretation links the identify to the Old Norse private title Karl together with vágr, which means “bay” or “inlet”. Over time this Norse name was adapted into Gaelic phonology as Càrlabhaigh. In that case the original sense would have been something like “Karl’s bay” or “the bay of the free man”. [2][3]

The complete Gaelic identify Dùn Chàrlabhaigh therefore means “the fort of Carloway”, referring to the broch overlooking the district and Loch Carloway.[4]

The modern English kind Dun Carloway is simply an Anglicised rendering of the Gaelic title. It turned standard in antiquarian and archaeological writing during the nineteenth century as English grew to become the dominant language of scholarly publication in Scotland.[4]

History
[edit]
Most brochs have been built in the period from 100 BC to one hundred Ad. [6] Through the centuries Dun Carloway remained in use till the flooring level was too excessive due to build-up of the occupation layers. [5] It in all probability got its current identify from the Norse Karlavagr (“Karl’s bay”), a relic of its time as a part of the Kingdom of the Isles. Dun Carloway was probably inbuilt the 1st century Ad.

The broch was sometimes utilized in later occasions as a stronghold. The MacAuleys wanted their cattle again. [7][8] The MacAuleys then destroyed the broch. Discovered the Morrisons within the broch. [7] One in all them, Donald Cam MacAuley, climbed the outer wall using two daggers and managed to smoke out the inhabitants by throwing heather into the broch after which setting fire to it. The Morrisons of Ness put Dun Carloway into use in 1601. The story goes that that they had stolen cattle from the MacAuleys of Uig.

Presumably in the 16th century the walls of the broch have been still largely intact. In the 1970s there was limited archaeological excavation. [9] The situation in 1861 is shown in a drawing revealed in 1890 by Captain Thomas. Since then, restoration has been carried out on the broch. At the start of the twentieth century. By the center of the nineteenth century, a large portion of the top of the wall had disappeared, the stones being re-utilized in different buildings. [10] To stop further decay Dun Carloway was in 1882 made one in every of the primary officially protected monuments in Scotland. [9] Five years later, the broch was placed under state administration. [6]

Development
[edit]
Dun Carloway is constructed on a rock on a steep south slope at the peak of fifty metres. [8][11] The wall of the broch rises on the south facet to 9.2 metres. [12] Only Mousa Broch and Dun Telve have walls which might be increased. The broch overlooks Loch Carloway. The original height of Dun Carloway is unknown. [6] It is one of the best preserved broch within the Outer Hebrides.

The exterior diameter is 14.Three metres; the inner diameter of the inside courtyard is 7.4 metres. [10] Within the interior of the broch there are three further openings. [6] The entrance is on the north-west side. The walls on this side of the broch do not a lot exceed the peak of the entrance capstone. There aren’t any stones on high of the big capstone. [15] The opening on the japanese side, opposite the entrance, results in the stairs situated between the partitions of the broch. [14] On the south aspect of the entrance-passage is a so-called “guard cell”, a small aspect room within the hallway. [6] The west opening (right, after getting into the broch) gives access to a room under the staircase. [13] The entrance is seventy five centimetres vast and 1 metre excessive. [6] The walls vary in thickness from 2.9 to 3.Eight metres from the south-east to the north. The staircase runs alongside one quarter of the circumference of the broch. The opening to the “guard cell” is 61 centimetres square. [10] The north-japanese opening (to the left of the staircase opening) provides entry to an oval room. Listed below are traces showing that there were a minimum of three peat ovens over the centuries.

In the south-japanese wall two large wall voids are visible. It is likely that there was an higher picket ground,[8] as the scarcement (ledge) which could hold such a ground is visible 2 metres above floor stage. On the north facet of the interior protrudes the rock upon which the broch was constructed. [13] Although the remaining wall is larger than nine metres, there isn’t any trace of the next scarcement found. [16] This could mean that there was just one floor, or that a different technique was used for increased floors.

Finds
[edit]
Excavation in the northeastern room discovered at the least three peat-ovens used in the interval 400-700. On this room were also loads of pottery stays, as well as a fragment of a quern-stone and a set of snail shells. Probably the northeastern room was only used for the manufacture of earthenware pots. [6] A more industrial software is also unlikely because of the absence of tools that were utilized in making ironwork. Dun Carloway has been in state administration since 1887. Is now owned by Historic Scotland. [17] The customer centre is operated by Urras nan Tursachan (The Standing Stones Trust). Currently the neighborhood owned customer centre is operated by the Carlaway Estate Trust (Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh) who are fundraising to take care of and develop the visitor centre. The fireplaces contained no animal bones, which makes a home (making ready meals) use of the fires seem unlikely.

^ Armit, Ian (2003). Towers in the North: The Brochs of Scotland. Tempus. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-7524-1932-9.

^ a b Cox, Richard A. V. (2002). The Place-Names of the Carloway District, Isle of Lewis: Their Structure and Significance. Scottish Place-Name Society. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-855001-92-3.

^ Gammeltoft, Peder (2007). Scandinavian Settlement Names within the Hebrides. Northern Studies Society. p. 94.

^ a b Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

^ Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

^ a b c d e f g h Tabraham, Chris (1976-1977). “Excavations at Dun Carloway broch, Isle of Lewis” (PDF). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 108: 156-167.

^ a b Thomas, F. W. L. (1880). “Traditions of the MacAuleys of Lewis” (PDF). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 14: 363-431.

^ a b c Coventry, Martin (2006). The Castles of Scotland (4th ed.). Birlinn. p. 268. ISBN 978-1-84158-449-2.

^ a b Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

^ a b c Thomas, F. W. L. (1890). “Duns of the Outer Hebrides” (PDF). Archaeologia Scotica. 5: 365-415.

^ Burgess, Colin (2008). Ancient Lewis and Harris. Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-9519490-2-3.

^ Armit, Ian (2003). Towers in the North: The Brochs of Scotland. Tempus. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-7524-1932-9.

^ a b Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

^ Mackenzie, W. M. (1904). “Notes on Certain Buildings of Archaic Type in the Island of Lewis-Beehive Houses, Duns and Stone Circles” (PDF). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 38: 173-204.

^ Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

^ Armit, Ian (2003). Towers within the North: The Brochs of Scotland. Tempus. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-7524-1932-9.

^ Armit, Ian; Fojut, Noel (1998). Dun Charlabhaigh. The Hebridean Iron Age. Historic Scotland. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-9532906-0-4.

Ponting, Gerald; Ponting, Margaret (1980). A Mini-Guide to Dun Carloway Broch, Isle of Lewis. Callanish, Isle of Lewis: G. and M. Ponting.

Wikimedia Commons has media associated to Dun Carloway.

Dun Carloway, Historic Scotland

Photos of Dun Carloway broch on the Ancient Scotland site

Dun Carloway broch on the Megalithic Portal

Outer Hebrides

Scotland

Inhabited islands

Lewis and Harris

Nice Bernera

Scalpay

Other islands

Bayble Island

Eilean Chaluim Chille

Eilean Chearstaidh

Eilean Liubhaird

Eilean Mhealasta

Ensay

Fuaigh Beag

Fuaigh Mòr

Gasker

Hermetray

Killegray

North Rona

Pabbay of Harris

Pabaigh Mòr

Scarp

Seaforth

Sgeotasaigh

Soay Beag

Soay Mòr

Stockinish

Sula Sgeir

Taransay

Vacsay

Settlements

Stornoway

Adabroc

Aignish

Aird

Ardroil

Arnol

Baile an Truiseil

Balallan

Barvas

Bayble

Borghastan

Borsham

Borve, Harris

Borve, Lewis

Bragar

Branahuie

Breaclete

Breasclete

Breivig

Brenish

Brue

Cabharstadh

Calbost

Callanish

Carloway

Coll

Cross

Eorodale

Eoropie

Fivepenny

Flesherin

Garenin

Garrabost

Gravir

Gress

Habost

Holm

Hushinish

Knock

Laxdale

Leurbost

Leverburgh

Lionel

Lingarabay

Marybank

Melbost

New Tolsta

Newmarket

Newvalley

North Dell

Orinsay

Parkend

Portnaguran

Portvoller

Rèinigeadal

Rodel

Shawbost

Skigersta

Shulishader

South Dell

South Galson

Swainbost

Tarbert

Tolsta Chaolais

Timsgarry

Tong

Again

Ness

North Lochs

Park

Point

Uig

West Side

Geographical features

Butt of Lewis

Clisham

The Minch

Eilean Glas

Historical websites

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle

Callanish Stones

Clach an Trushal and Steinacleit

Lews Castle

St Clement’s Church

Teampall Mholuaidh

Prehistoric Western Isles

Callanish Sites

Callanish I

Callanish II

Callanish III

Callanish IV

Callanish V

Callanish VI

Callanish VIII

Callanish X

Other Neolithic Websites

Barpa Langass

Carinish

Clach an Trushal

Eilean Dòmhnuill

Fir Bhreige

Pobull Fhinn

Steinacleit

St Kilda

Bronze and Iron Age Sites

Allasdale

Cladh Hallan

Dùn Èistean

Shetland

Burra Ness

Clickimin

Clumlie

Cullingsburgh

Culswick

Jarlshof

Mousa

Previous Scatness

Snabrough

West Burrafirth

Orkney

Ayre

Burrian

Burroughston

Gurness

Midhowe

Hebrides

Inside

Dun Ardtreck

Dun Beag

Dun Borrafiach

Dun Fiadhairt

Dun Hallin

Dun Mor Vaul

Dun Ringill

Tirefour

Outer

Dun an Sticir

Dun Bharabhat

Dun Vulan

Loch na Berie

Highlands

Caithness

Crosskirk

Ousdale

Skitten

Sutherland

Baile Mhargaite (Sandy Dun)

Carn Liath

Dun Dornaigil

Inshlampie

Langdale

Western

Caisteal Grugaig

Dun Grugaig

Dun Telve

Dun Troddan

Central Scotland

Coldoch

Leckie

Tappoch

Southern Scotland

Bow Castle

Doon Castle

Edin’s Hall

Torwoodlee

58°16′11″N 6°47′38″W / 58.2696068°N 6.7939714°W / 58.2696068; -6.7939714

Retrieved from “https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dun_Carloway&oldid=1357130227”

Brochs

Isle of Lewis

Scheduled monuments within the Outer Hebrides

Historic Environment Scotland properties in the Outer Hebrides

Archaeological sites within the Outer Hebrides

Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text

Articles with OS grid coordinates

This page was last edited on 31 Could 2026, at 22:38 (UTC).

Dun Carloway

10 languages Add subject