Broch of West Burrafirth
| Broch of West Burrafirth | |
| Shetland | |
|---|---|
 Remains of the broch on the little holm | |
| Type: | Broch |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | HU25625720 |
| Location: | 60°17’53"N, 1°32’18"W |
| History | |
| Built Iron Age | |
| Information | |
The Broch of West Burrafirth is an Iron Age broch located on the west side of the Mainland, Shetland, on a low rocky islet known as the Holm of Hebrista in West Burra Firth.[1]
The site is inaccessible without a boat except at very low tide.[1] There was once a causeway from the islet to the shore, which is no longer readily apparent.[1]
Description
The broch is in a ruined state with much fallen debris.[1] The entrance is blocked with stones but the lintel over the inner end is still apparent.[1] There appear to be two guard cells on either side of the entrance passage.[1] Internally four mural cells can be seen, two of which are dumb-bell shaped with short passages between the two halves.[1]
The site is a scheduled monument.[2]
Later history
The Orkneyinga saga states of Magnus Erlendsson and Hákon Paulsson:
- "Magnus and Hákon ruled their lands and defended them for some time, the two agreeing very well... They also slew a famous man, named Þorbjörn in Borgarfjörð in Hjaltland."[3]
Borgarfjörð, the "fjord of the borg" is Burra Firth: it was so named by the Norse on account of the broch.[3] It is probable that the reason of Þorbjörn's connection with Borgarfjörð/Burra Firth was its affording him, and his followers a shelter, and a defensive position in the borg, or broch.[3] The old name Borgarfjörð also occurs in a document in the Norse language dated 1299.[3]
The broch was visited by George Low in the 18th century, when he noted a number of cells in the base of the wall, and he stated that a hollow, galleried wall began above these.[1]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Broch of West Burrafirth) |
References
| Prehistoric Shetland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Neolithic |
Benie Hoose • Funzie Girt • Hjaltadans Stone Circle • Pettigarths Field Cairns • Scord of Brouster • Standing Stones of Yoxie • Stanydale Temple • Vementry | ||
| Iron Age brochs |
Clickimin • Culswick • Mousa • Burra Ness • Clumlie • Huxter • Ness of Burgi • Snabrough • West Burrafirth | ||
| Pictish | Mixed period | ||