I think they were winter shelters. Like great halls. People would have their own house until harvest but share a dwelling in winter to conserve heat and save fuel. The two layers would trap heat. The bottom floor would keep animals safe. When the back of winter was broken people would return to their homes and prepare to plant spring crops. Does that make sense?
That was my random thought assumption. I just pulled it out of my …. With no real knowledge at all… In fact I didn’t even know that is what great halls were used for or that such buildings existed. It just felt natural as an explanation immediately
@@graemedalgleish8944 stone is like liquid tikes a while to heat up but it takes time to cool down. Stone buildings tend to be warm in winter and cool in summer. Just like the sea.
That stonework is truly impressive. One possibility not considered: maybe they just wanted somewhere to shelter from bad weather. A broch would have been champion for that.
That's cool! I am from Scotland and I traveled around Scotland when my dad was in the pipe band, I saw there structures and honestly just thought it was a old fashioned silo! We don't get taught enough about our history, thank you for everything you do.
As an Australian of partly Scottish descent, and someone with a deep love of history, this channel is wonderful at bringing the ordinary people of history alive... This broch is absolutely amazing.. and simply oozing with history.. imagine the stories it held, the things those walls have seen and heard 😯❤. nothing less that stunning
I would describe myself similarly, and I believe it was that Scottish Heritage that contributed to our love of stories told. And Bruce as a master story-teller
Excellent. Love the Brochs. It's amazing to walk in and touch those places where our ancestors lived their lives. I was very disappointed at Skara Brae all I could think off was "I want to walk in the door" When visiting Skara Brae, I had Greek friends with me, a rich historical past.. That walk down the concrete footpath with date inscriptions to the site was blowing their minds.
Got stoned in the klickimin broch in lerwick with my greatest friend sadly gone now staring at stars and drifting through time an experience I'll never forget.
Thanks Bruce, cracking perspective as always. We lived in Shetland mid-late 80's (eldest daughter born in Gilbert Bain), so visited Moussa a number of times. As you say, magical.
Being a Builder Scotland amazes me. From Edinburgh Castle....who laid those first stones at the edge of certain death???... to the Mousa Broch.....how did they build it??? Genius! Thank you for another amazing video.
WOAH! That's amazing that not only has this brough been preserved so WELL but that they were able to build such a tall structure in the first place(complete with stairways between the walls) by piling rocks VERY carefully and no mortar! I wonder if Shetland may have had more trees when that brough was first built or did they have to import them from elsewhere to build the now-vanished wooden inner floors? And did those stairways have even rope railings to hold onto or did folks just grab onto rocks on the walls (while presumably carrying lit wooden torches for light) ? And how gloomy inside was it with virtually no windows? Was the one outer door built deliberately short to discourage visitors or was the era's average adult height short enough for most contemporaries to comfortably walk through without ducking? So MANY questions (and you brought up some intriguing ones yourself) but thanks VERY much for bringing us along on your tour of it!
Back then Shetland would have been a bigger land mass than it currently is so there is every probability there were trees as the grounds would have been fertile
In the centre there was a main fire for heating they were actually quite good in design for recycling heat i’m sure fire brands would be fixed to the wall on the staircase
Fair to assume the average height was a deal shorter. I don't know about Shetlanders in that period but the average European male was around 166cm or 5' 5" in the Neolithic - so if he's 6' (no idea if he is) they'd have walked under that lintel. Also, ground height tends to rise over time with a dirt floor from building up dirt or from re-laying new stones, so, the 'floor' may have been lower originally. Also, in a cold, windswept place like the Shetlands, keeping doors and 'window' openings to a minimum is a big part of keeping the structure warm - you sacrifice light but its no contest which is more important, warmth or light, come the winter. ...The double walled structure would serve well to keep heat in too.
Even today you can bang your head going into some old buildings in Glasgow. Provands Lordship from pre 1500 is one example although the road is higher than it used to be.
I can see the utility of the construction. Yes, it can be defensive in nature, but the thick stone walls have offer a natural insulation against the elements. The central fire pit would heat the entire structure, conserving fuel. Were there other structures outside the broch that stored food and livestock?
Aye, that thought had crossed my mind too. The heavy use of stone may also have been a way of building without using too much structural wood, assuming that was a somewhat scarce resource.
Yes we visited Shetland twenty years ago this week How do I remember? Well some blokes may take their new brides to the Caribbean islands for a honeymoon, I took mine to Shetland lol We visited the Broch, and the Norse settlement at the south of the main isle, alongside a few other iron age bits and pieces. We had a wonderful week up there and would recommend it without hesitation. Great video as ever, not too many English jokes either 🤣🤣🤣 We are on the borders and my gran was a fierce Sutherland Gunn, so I've had my fair share of mockery, it's worth it for an ice cream sat by the rive in Langholm Look forward to the next video, hopefully a few more Shetland stories too Cheers
Another fabulous video Mr. F. As a dry stone waller i am totally in awe of the folk who built the brochs. I often wondered if it was a gang of broch builders who toured the country because they all be the same design/shape ? I've not been to Mousa but have been to see the Dun Carloway broch on Lewis. In 2004 a master craftsman waller, Irwin Campbell, made a film called THE BROCH ( A SCOTTISH PHENOMENON ). He and a team of wallers built a part section of a broch near Strathyre village and in the film explains his theories on how they were built, definitely worth a watch if anyone is interested. I'm sure there will be DVD copies still available. AND, read all the Rebus books, love 'em. Watched the TV episodes too, not the John Hannah ones though. Ken Stott was definitely Rebus. Cheers !
Well, it's settled then. There's no way I can see and do all of the wonderful sites and events in the land of my ancestors in a wee vacation. I'll just have to move there 😁. Seriously, thanks again Bruce for the story, well told. I really think you need your own prime time network show. Good morning from America!
@@ScotlandHistoryTours love your passion Bruce! Can you make a video about the decorative stone polished balls found mainly in north east Scotland that date back before 2000nd BC. I'd like your input and get to know a bit more x
@@ScotlandHistoryTours I would love to spend two months. I think I'm going to have to split my trip up because I want to enjoy the Yule season as well as some warmer weather. It will be so much fun in any case.
When I was a kid I got to see many of the wonders of Colorado in the days you could walk into an opening in the mountains at the side with your Zippo and a pack of smokes (dad) and come out with artifacts that were in all the souvenir shops. Got to see cliff dwellings that did not even have signs. Wish I had the appreciation of that experience as you'd had at that Broch, but twenty years later I was a gun bunny with the U.S. 1st Infantry and felt that awe of who all has walked these steps. Was headed to the top of Munster Cathedral in Ulm West Germany. How many footfalls would be required to wear that stone to the depth that really impressed this son of Kansas. Love your work.
Ah, Bruce! I pondered those same questions in Skara Brae. What did those ancient ancestors hope and worry and dream about when they closed their eyes at night? Thanks for the preview for those of us hoping to get to Shetland one day!
Mousavi was always a family picnic trip every summer. I was about 7-12 yrs old and it was just a small open boat with a wee cover at the bow. There were no other buildings at all. I still live in Shetland but haven't been for decades to Mousa. I remember one trip and a young German tourist ended up in amongst the bonnie nests and they were divebombing her. She was screaming and lying flat out on the heather. I must admit we did laugh cos as locals we had all carried sticks to hold up above our heads the birds go for the highest point. There used to be lots of ponies on the Isle too. Re u spkg about the sheep. I rember an old local story about a man who worked in the local councils roads depot. He had retired and was driving someone along a Shetland road and was reminiscing. He said, 'see that road I built that, but will anyone ever remember no, but one sheep!'
1. I'm trying not to regret excluding Shetland from my upcoming trip to Scotland. You are not making that easy with videos like this one. 😁 2. I went to the bookstore today and picked up "Knots and Crosses," by Rankin. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be hooked on this series now. 3. I love these videos. Thank you for making them.
2. I was curious, so checked my local library. Knots and Crosses is one year older than me and in the "Classics" section. Well, now I feel old. Still put a hold on it, I'm in a reading slump.
@@pensword14, the book is older than you are, and you feel old? 😆 No, no, you're not old. You're exactly the right age for yourself. Meanwhile, I need to put on my cardigan and get a new beaded chain for my bifocals. Haha!
@@lisamckay5058 I work in a library, so I admit the fashion is cozy! I am just at the age where I say "Wait what? No, wait. Slow the years down! Not fair!"
@@marklammas2465 well my teenage son is an Uilleann pipe player, he’s still really keen to get the ferry over, and my party piece as such, I’m a former student of the front row dark arts, and still a Jameson’s true believer at weddings and funerals and other such dire occasions. So yes, I’d be fine knowing I was returning to Kerry a corpse embalmed the traditional Scottish way. Sláinte!
@@ClannCholmain Aberdeenshire, sir; Aberdeenshire! The good sessions are over here 😃 And well placed for going to that broch! Actually, the session every final Friday evening at the Caledonian in Brechin; there are usually very good Uillean pipers in attendance. Pickle your person there!
@@marklammas2465 you are a gentleman and a scholar and a true believer and a fellow harmless drinker …👏😂 Message copied and pasted into my new ‘Scotland’ note.
I learned of these a couple of years ago and I was gobsmacked at their construction. This rates at one of the penultimate examples of iron age technology! Thank you so much for this video!
Fascinating. Here in the U.S. we think 300 years in old. I truly must come over for a vacation and see some of these ancient sites. Thank you for the videos.
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Alright Bruce when you get time , can you look/ do a video on Scotland's national flag? Iv looked into it a tiny bit and it seems the saltire is the oldest flag in the world something over 1200 years old! Cheers
Bruce, have to say, your speaking about the original owners of the broch and what their thoughts and lives may have been like, gave me goose bumps ! Definitely could feel your strong love and connection to your home land . Its what makes your videos so compelling. Thank you for sharing!
Spent two weeks in Orkney last month and saw the brochs at Gurness, Midhowe and Borwick. They're fantastic structures and Mousa is definitely on my to do list.
I love the brochs, and Ian Rankin's Rebus books! The Caithness brochs are on my list for my next trip, but I may have to extend that to include Shetland as well. Thanks Bruce. 🙂
Oh to be able to go back and see it for ourselves! To be able to walk and experience the life that our ancestors experienced! To know where we come from! To be able to tell them how far we have come because they took the time to work together and create amazing things and advance our civilization to what it is today! Just think, if we could all come together today, despite our differences, to work toward a common goal, the things we could accomplish!
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Haha! Oh no lol well, everyone is boring to someone! 🤷🏻♂️ I just have so many questions about things I think your husband is _quite_ knowledgeable in… aaaaand, unfortunately, I’m American. Which means I enjoy a good Scottish accent so if worse came to worse I could always ask him to just read a good book aloud 😂 Thanks so much for the reply. I always think it goes a long way when a channel goes that extra mile to reply now and then. Hope you and your husband keep up the great work, I’ll certainly be here enjoying it from abroad!
I'd say the the gun lovers in the US probably do more hunting and fishing than shooting, just for the record. It's a great sales pitch. It seems like a very interesting place. I've gotten that feeling about the original inhabitants sometimes. Matsumoto Castle in Japan comes to mind, although it's much newer. If you are willing to take your shoes off, you can climb the ladders up to the top. I figured that I was stepping where the daimyo had stepped. The I read that it was extensively restored in 1903. But then I read that the original interior was kept. Whatever, I still got the feeling.
Ha! Love your dry wit. Your passion for history is contagious and SO appreciated. Brochs were also known as Iron Age castles of Chieftains. Shetland is blessed to have you as their spokesperson.
I thought the theory was that they were purely to defend against the climate. The dual walls and cylindrical shape would be incredible insulation and heat circulation.
To answer one of your early questions, the only Broch of which I was aware was Broch Turoch or Lally Broch. Gabalon's heuristic writing does draw one in. When I was a lad in Broadstairs, there was a Roman (may be Norman) tower within walking distance of our home. My father took photographs of it. From the outside it looks very similar to this broch. I also noticed brochs in northwest Ireland and on the coast of County Clare. I doubt I'll ever be able to travel back, but I'm intrigued nonetheless. Thanks for the fascinating tuition.
@@ScotlandHistoryTours I must apologize to you for my mistake. I managed to capture the broch distribution map from the video. I misread the Hebrides. I won't be teaching land navigation or map reading any more. 😨
I'm an American with deep family ties to Great Britain and Scandinavia. I've recently discovered my family is related to some rather colorful characters in history, some of whom I'm ashamed of, others whom I admire. This broch...seeing it stirred something within me; it's always that way when I see pictures of my family's ancestral lands, especially Scotland. Maybe, ages ago, some of mine ancestors lived and worked in such a place, and those memories were passed forward through them, to me. Dunno why, but I'm mighty grateful yeh made this video, Bruce. Please keep up the good work!
In a series of programs about the Scotland I knew, is this one of the Scotland I would have never known but for Sir Bruce. Every moment of this program begs one to come for a wee visit. From Thailand? At 82? Maybe next life? Now a wee bit from Billy Connolly to lighten my evening. Sgt. Brill, USAF (Ret)
Yep, I'll have to visit that one. Just love your presentations, and wonder what your non-Scots viewers make of Scottish humour. Such hilarious interjections.
Absolutely Incredible, visited in May, paddled across by sea kayak which felt extra special.....Bruce, you can't do Shetland justice without at least another 100 posts about the place !
Och, Seanachie once again you have led me down the Rabbit Hole of what if and "mebbe". You bring history to life in ways that I can relate to all too well. Thank ye. If those damned moths in me sporran will leave off, I'll either send more coffee or something better.
Of COURSE ah read Rebus Novels and watch the tele shows an' a' They're the ideal balance in Scottish crime fiction (paper or TV form) tae Taggart. Rebus in the east Taggart in the west And Ah'm wan o' the folk who pictured Ken Stott in the role as soon as Ah read the words. Ah mean John Hannah is great And Ah've enjoyed much o' his work, but Ken Stott is Rebus Another great video by the way Bruce, nearly furgoat why ah wis here
I'm telling you right now Scotland is the birth place of the west,And one of the oldest markers for modern humanity! Take our arts and documents away but under our land of plenty Scotland will shine through! X
Great video. I've visited one of the rare lowland brochs (Edin's Hall Broch) and it's fascinating to see what a more complete structure looks like. Amazing to think these were built by manpower and handtools alone.
Maybe they too sat, safe and secure within those thick walls, and wondered what the people of the distant past had thought - whether those ancestors too had sat and wondered, what their own forefathers had thought. I am sure they are there, whenever somebody pays their old home a visit and stops to think of them.
Brochs always remind me of the Nuraghe of Sardinia, both seem excessive for where they are located and we have little idea why exactly they were built.
I fell in love with the grandeur of the broch when I first read about one in The Life of Tana. It is a beautiful and haunting structure where the spirits of the past still speak. We can only imagine the wooden floors like stacked donuts all the way to the top and filled with the daily lives of a close-knit tribe.
@@NJRangerGeorge you can live abroad and still collect social security. So once i get to that age i can start looking for a good spot to move to. (I live in the US too)
@@autiejedi5857 thanks for the advice. My dream is to live in Scotland oneday it will happen. Its going to take me some time too I'm 35 so in my 60s I will be ready to go. Hope your dream come true also.
You just make my brain so happy. I love your channel. Have to check the bills, minute I find a gap I'm going to Patreon for the first time. Until that moment, thank you. Thank you so much.❤️
I know the archaeology officer for the isle of Skye there was the remains of a broch in Skye but it wasn't in the ordinance survey map, tbe landowner dismantled it and there was nothing he could do about it. This was relatively recently......how much more of Scotland's history has been lost like this to thoughtless fools??
Another stunning film and subject Bruce, never had an inkling that these existed so thank you for bringing these to our attention, great craic too. 👍🏻😊
@@ScotlandHistoryTours I saw the broch in Lerwick while I was working at the new gas terminal, its hard to miss. The trouble with Scotland is we've just got so many really cool places and things to get around and to read about, that I never heard anything of at school. My secondary history teacher told me the reason we didn't get Scottish history was because it was boring, nothing worth teaching had ever happened here. I only found out the truth in the 1980s driving around Scotland as a service engineer, listening to Jimmy McGregor on the radio. Wherever I happened to be, Jimmy had the uncanny habit of talking about that very place at that very moment. Then I caught a documentary on the telly that said before WW2 there were indeed only a couple of dozen listed historic sites listed in all of Scotland, that at that time anybody knew were there. Then after the war ex RAF pilots started mapping the countryside from the air, turned up hunners n hunners of amazing historic places. Now they've got lidar equipment, we're all going to need to be paying attention to keep up with it all.
Mousa surviving is even more interesting when you consider that a significant number of brochs were ritually destroyed at the end of their lives. Why wasn't Mousa? What did the last residents of Mousa do when they left?
Husband and I went to Dun Trodden and Dun Telve, near Glen Elg, and they were pretty dang amazing. This one is much more complete and might just be worth the long jaunt to Shetland. Wow and 👍🏻👍🏻! Thank you sir!
Makes me wonder how long it took to build one. No mortar, just shaping and setting the stones. That's masterful stonemasonry where did they get the training and experience necessary to do it. So many questions Bruce, so many questions!
Here's the thing Brucey, if you'd mentioned Shetland to me (before your youtubey thing) I'd have first pictured a sturdy horse. And as for a Broch, that'd be a famous Australian racing car driver, Peter Brock. But back to these Brochs, what a setup. I can only imagine the communal effort (hopefully volunteer) and the engineering skills that went into them. Like a wise man once told me, you'd have to be crazy not to visit.
Have been to Mousa and have to say that the broch is really stunning. It's interesting to compare Mousa with Clickimin broch. I would say Mousa is the more magical of the two. Definitely a must-visit place.
We often forget, or are simply not told, just how linked up many of these Northern communities were, long before we see so much evidence for similar 'togetherness'' in other parts of 'Britain'. These people were, in many cases, centrral points of trading between Scandinavia, and the 'mainland' and beyond since the earlier neolithic times going back as far as Ness of Brodgar. These were cultural centers in many cases. With Brodgar poreceeding the Stonehenge culture and likely seeding it since they suddenly departed brodgar, and likely moved South. So, even before the broch-building era, we see fairly technologivcally capabe cultures, already expert in trade from near & far. And religious centres too. Which seem to have had prolific influences of thousands and thousands of miles. INCREDIBLE huh? Yeh to Rankin's Rebus, but also much of Ian Bank's (non scifi ) writings are TOTALLY Scottish styles. With Banks (Wasp Factory, The Bridge, etc) hitting that dark scary twilightness of the Scottish imaghination's nail on the head.
Broch man here. This is one of the best videos Ihave yet seen regarding Brochs and to be quite honest, I dont think I have ever seen anybody speak about Brochs with such charisma and energy. Also didnt you star in the movie Boondock Saints?
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Ok Mr. Historian... it's only one of the best movies ever made with people who, well... I mean guess some of them could be Scottish. but that's not the point im trying to make is now twofold. You bear a resemblance to one of the characters and you should watch the movie as it is quite good. Cheers.
Awesomeness of a video Brother!! Thanks for sharing Your passion and adventures. I travel with You through Your videos. As I can not afford to travel. You make it easier for Me and My Love of My Grandfather's Birth Home. I appreciate You 😀 👍 ♥️ 🏴🇨🇦🌎🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉💯💯💯💯💯🎉🎉🎉🎉
