Burroughston Broch

Burroughston Broch is an Iron Age broch located on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands [1]. The site overlooks the North Sea on the northeast part of Shapinsay [1]. Excavated in the mid 19th century, Burroughston Broch is still well-preserved [1]. The drystone walls are up to four metres thick in some parts and there is a complete chamber intact off the entrance passage [1]. The walls of Burroughston Broch have an external diameter of around 18 metres, and an internal diameter of around 10 metres [1]. The entrance passage is on the east side, and is about 4 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and 1.8 metres high [1]. A deep well is present in the broch floor: the upper part being dry stone masonry, the lower being cut into the rock [1]. The broch was excavated around 1862 by the estate-workers of Colonel D. Balfour under the direction of the antiquarian George Petrie [1].