Broch of Cullingsburgh

The Broch of Cullingsburgh is a circular Iron Age stone structure located on a rocky platform on Bressay. Its thick walls stretch several meters across and command views over the bay to the water below.

The structure dates to the Iron Age, when fortified circular towers were built across the Shetland Islands. A stone bearing Pictish symbols discovered near the site in 1852 provided insight into the social ranks of ancient inhabitants.

The location reflects how people chose to settle on elevated ground with water views, suggesting its value to early communities. Walking around reveals the relationship between the structure and its natural surroundings, which clearly mattered to those who built it.

The site is accessible by local paths on Bressay but requires some fitness due to its elevated location. Visitors should dress for changing weather, as the islands are exposed to wind and rain throughout the year.

Stones from the original broch were later incorporated into the nearby St. Mary's Church, showing how later generations reused older materials. This blending of structures reveals the long-term relationship between the community and its landscape.

Location: Shetland Islands

Part of: Cullingsburgh, St Mary's Church, churchyard and broch

GPS coordinates: 60.16190,-1.06316

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04