History of north west Sutherland Iron Age broch chronicled in new book
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A new book chronicling the history of an Iron Age broch in north west Sutherland has been distributed to Assynt residents free of charge.
'Clachtoll Broch - An Iron Age Home in Assynt', compiled by Charlotte Douglas of AOC Archaeology, follows the excavation of the broch at Clachtoll from its inception.
The book covers the broch itself, what it may have looked like, both at the start of its construction and at the point it went on fire and finally collapsed.
With a large team of authors to thank, Clachtoll Broch features several stories and articles summarised and made accessible for a wider audience.
It also details many discoveries and finds at the site, and what these suggest about life in Assynt some 2000 years ago.
The book follows a £346,000 excavation project to clear rubble from the broch, which partly collapsed at some point between 150CB and 50AD.
The project began in 2017 following a survey of the area and some initial conservation work, and it scooped an award last year when it won the Current Archaeology Rescue Project of the Year.
In a bid to highlight the importance of these excavation works, the book discusses how the broch will be preserved for future generations to see and enjoy.
Released on March 5, a free copy of the new book has been made available to any household in Assynt, with copies also available for sale in local and regional bookshops.
Dave McBain, chairman of Historic Assynt, said: "Archaeology, like any technical discipline, can be dry, but this book has been pitched at the casual reader who has visited or wants to visit the broch at Clachtoll.
"It includes a range of pictures to show what life may have been like, what the artefacts uncovered may have been used for and what life would have been like in Assynt 2000 years ago. It truly brings those ancestors back to life.
"The book is short, focussed and graphical enough that the casual reader can pick it up and form an insight into Iron Age life in Assynt.
"It will be followed by a full technical report on the excavation later in 2022."
