Doon Castle Broch
| Doon Castle Broch | |
|
Wigtownshire | |
|---|---|
 Doon Castle Broch | |
| Type: | Broch |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°45’35"N, 5°0’21"W |
| History | |
| Built Iron Age | |
| Information | |
Doon Castle Broch is an Iron Age broch found on the Rhinns of Galloway in Wigtownshire.
History
The broch was first recorded by archaeologists in 1912 by RCAHMS in their 'Fourth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway'. It has since been mentioned in several other publications but has yet to have been excavated.[1]
Description
Doon Castle broch is located on the south side of Ardwell Point, which projects out into the North Channel. An early description mentions that the broch is separated from the main land by a wall and natural gully (20 feet across and 8 feet) crossed by a man-made causeway (6 feet wide and 3 feet high).[2]
The remains of the broch are reasonably preserved, showing that the structure is 30 feet in diameter with walls 10 feet to 13 feet in thickness. On the northeast side the wall is preserved up to 6 feet in height. This broch had two entrances; one on the north-northeast side (which is blocked by fallen stones) and a second in the south side. These two entrances coincide with land and sea approaches. There is a chamber to the east, with a possible second chamber to the west. The extant remains of the chamber to the east consist of the sides of the entrance (measuring 3 feet at the mouth to 4 feet closer to the inner wall face). There is far less known about the possible west chamber.
Between Doon Castle broch and the northern end of the point there are further archaeological remains, including a wall approximately 9 feet thick. This wall appears to enclose an area 46 feet (E-W) by 33 feet (N-S). This outer structure was likely entered in the north-northeast wall, which is situated opposite the manmade causeway.[3]
Archaeological Finds
Doon Castle Broch has not been excavated, with survey only revealing rubble in the interior.
Pictures
Doon Castle Broch at Ardwell Bay
Doon Castle Broch Interior
Doon Castle Broch
Doon Castle Broch
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Doon Castle Broch) |
- Doon Castle (Broch)' in The Modern Antiquarian
References
- ↑ CANMORE (RCAHMS) record of Doon Castle Broch
- ↑ Feachem, R.: 'A guide to prehistoric Scotland' (1963) (page 174) (RCAHMS E.2.FEA)
- ↑ Feachem, R.: 'Guide to prehistoric Scotland' (1977) (page 174) (RCAHMS E.2.FEA)
