Dun Borrafiach, archaeological site in Highland, Scotland, UK
Dun Borrafiach is an ancient round stone structure called a broch, located on a hillside in the Scottish Highlands overlooking the sea. The outer wall still stands in many sections up to 3 meters (10 feet) high, with a narrow entrance about 80 centimeters wide, while the interior circle measures roughly 10 meters (33 feet) across and is now filled with fallen rubble.
Dun Borrafiach was built around 2500 years ago when such stone towers served as fortified dwellings throughout the Scottish Highlands. The structure has endured for two millennia and was officially recognized as a protected monument in the 20th century.
The name Dun Borrafiach comes from Scottish Gaelic and means "Borrafiach's fort". The ruins reflect how people organized their lives around this stone structure, using it as a center for protection and community gathering in early Highland society.
The site is open and freely accessible, though exposed to wind and weather, so sturdy footwear is recommended for safe movement. The scattered remains of smaller nearby structures can be viewed from around the hillside, though the terrain is uneven and can become slippery after rain.
A small gallery or walkway is still visible high on the northeast side, suggesting the structure originally had raised lookout platforms built into its design. This detail reveals the architectural knowledge of its early builders in creating defensive and observational spaces.
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