Broch of Gurness
About This Museum
You wouldn't think a place could feel so alive after being abandoned for nearly two millennia, but the Broch of Gurness hums with ancient energy. Walking into the complex is like stepping through a time portal, where low stone walls outline the ghost of an entire Iron Age village huddled around a central tower. I found myself running my hands over the cool, lichen-crusted stones of a hearth, imagining the families that once gathered here. It’s not just a ruin; it’s a story written in stone and earth.
Collection Highlights
The real highlights are the preserved living spaces you can peer into: a surprisingly intact stone tank that might have been a water supply or for soaking grain, and the compact sleeping chambers built right into the thick broch walls. Don't miss the 'guard cell' just inside the broch entrance—a tiny, mysterious room that makes you wonder what secrets it kept.
Visitor Information
It's out on a windswept peninsula in Evie, so definitely wear sturdy shoes and a jacket, even on a nice day. The views across Eynhallow Sound to Rousay are absolutely breathtaking and worth the trip alone.
Architecture & Building
A stunning Iron Age roundhouse tower, once three stories high, surrounded by a sprawling settlement of smaller stone dwellings all protected by deep defensive ditches.
Contact & Location
Address: Aikerness, Arwick Road, Arwick, Evie, Orkney Islands, Alba / Scotland, KW17 2NH, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1856 751414
Website: Visit Website
