Broch of West Burrafirth

The Broch of West Burrafirth is an Iron Age stone structure located on a rocky islet within West Burra Firth. The building contains four internal mural cells and two guard chambers positioned near the entrance passage.

The site received its Norse name Borgarfjörð in the 13th century, reflecting the fortified position that served as a defensive stronghold. This name reflects the later Norwegian settlement in the Shetland Islands.

The broch shows how people built fortified homes in Iron Age Scotland, with thick stone walls designed to withstand harsh coastal weather. The internal layout reveals how inhabitants organized their daily life within a circular structure.

The site is accessible only by boat or during low tide when water levels allow land access across the shallow water. Visitors should check tide tables and prepare for wet conditions when traveling to this remote location.

Two of the four remaining internal cells display an unusual dumb-bell shape with narrow passages connecting them. This distinctive architectural feature sets this broch apart from other similar structures of the same period.

GPS coordinates: 60.29822,-1.53828

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05