I lived in Inverness for 7 years and have visited many Brochs and have been a suporter of Caithness Broch project and still am, I absolutely love the project and guys I totally recommend going on their website to check them out and if you visit Scotland don't forget to stop by a broch and be amazed. xx
AOC were doing experiments in conjunction with the local field club back in the early 00´s - reconstructing parts of Broch structures in a qurry and then trying to replicate destruction: with a view to help inform interpretation of archaeological sites. I´m really excited to see these results being put to this use. I have family in Caithness (Thurso). With the closure of the nuclear plant at Dounreay , unemployment is becoming an issue - and so many hope that tourism is going to be the next big employer - especially with the recent launching of the "North Coast 500 route". If you can, please get behind this project - either join or at least get one of their lovely Caithness Broch Project t-shirts.
This is awesome news to me. I love this! I've been to Edins Hall Broch in the Borders. Planned to go to Gurness and Mousa at some point too. I love the idea of a reconstructed Broch being built for tourism as well as archaeology. I'll be keeping my eyes on this for sure! Getting to be inside one, seeing how it could have looked 2000 years ago, sounds like a dream!
Mousa is well worth a visit. The piers on the mainland & the island have been much improved since the early 1990s. At a time when the boat only ran if the boat owner could spend time away from the farm. Not been on Mousa for about ten years but have been told that maybe too many people has been affecting the ground nesting birds.
Tourism done right isn't tourism. A good interpretation centre + trading post (not sure if you have those in the UK or not). Once a week 1 hour come as you are demonstrations. A decent meal of the era (the Iron Pot Restaurant and Cafe would not be unappreciated, buttermilk pancakes, barley soups, puddings, simple roast and toast and of course modern mans coffee or tea). And an ability to host school events. All bundled together and you have the makings of a good destination for most people through the year.
I love projects like this. Good luck with the construction ! 8-) I'm glad to hear they're the same team who supervised the design of the LEGO broch exhibit built by Brick to the Past. I was pondering whether there's a connection there... Great promo idea for the main project ! (For those curious, here are some articles: www.bricktothepast.com/caithness-broch.html, www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-40593010)
How did they vent smoke.? i don't see a hole in the roof....??? Do the buildings have a natural venting system which circulates hot or cold through the stairway area??
Iron Age (and earlier, and later) buildings from typical roundhouses to brochs didn't require chimneys or specific smoke holes in the roof as the smoke would rise through the thatched roof. This could be hazardous, and often these buildings survive in the archaeological record due to apparent sudden fire. However, it also presented the opportunity to hang and smoke meats in the rafters to preserve them over winter.
Smoke also kills off fungus taking hold in the thatch, which can be a huge issue, as well as various other organic and animal action that can be destructive.
@@Archaeos0up Thank you for your work and this prompt reply....I am interested in how the buildings air flow would work considering heat and cold and venting through the stairwell space...Has anyone on your team done airflow tests or simulations?
I lived in Inverness for 7 years and have visited many Brochs and have been a suporter of Caithness Broch project and still am, I absolutely love the project and guys I totally recommend going on their website to check them out and if you visit Scotland don't forget to stop by a broch and be amazed. xx
There is the remains of a Broch near Denny in the lowlands so it’s not just the north of Scotland.
AOC were doing experiments in conjunction with the local field club back in the early 00´s - reconstructing parts of Broch structures in a qurry and then trying to replicate destruction: with a view to help inform interpretation of archaeological sites. I´m really excited to see these results being put to this use. I have family in Caithness (Thurso). With the closure of the nuclear plant at Dounreay , unemployment is becoming an issue - and so many hope that tourism is going to be the next big employer - especially with the recent launching of the "North Coast 500 route". If you can, please get behind this project - either join or at least get one of their lovely Caithness Broch Project t-shirts.
This is awesome news to me. I love this!
I've been to Edins Hall Broch in the Borders. Planned to go to Gurness and Mousa at some point too.
I love the idea of a reconstructed Broch being built for tourism as well as archaeology. I'll be keeping my eyes on this for sure! Getting to be inside one, seeing how it could have looked 2000 years ago, sounds like a dream!
Mousa is well worth a visit. The piers on the mainland & the island have been much improved since the early 1990s. At a time when the boat only ran if the boat owner could spend time away from the farm. Not been on Mousa for about ten years but have been told that maybe too many people has been affecting the ground nesting birds.
Great stuff!
Tourism done right isn't tourism. A good interpretation centre + trading post (not sure if you have those in the UK or not). Once a week 1 hour come as you are demonstrations. A decent meal of the era (the Iron Pot Restaurant and Cafe would not be unappreciated, buttermilk pancakes, barley soups, puddings, simple roast and toast and of course modern mans coffee or tea). And an ability to host school events. All bundled together and you have the makings of a good destination for most people through the year.
I love projects like this. Good luck with the construction ! 8-) I'm glad to hear they're the same team who supervised the design of the LEGO broch exhibit built by Brick to the Past. I was pondering whether there's a connection there... Great promo idea for the main project ! (For those curious, here are some articles: www.bricktothepast.com/caithness-broch.html, www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-40593010)
Was hoping to get involved with this haha
I wonder if this ever got built.
How did they vent smoke.? i don't see a hole in the roof....??? Do the buildings have a natural venting system which circulates hot or cold through the stairway area??
Iron Age (and earlier, and later) buildings from typical roundhouses to brochs didn't require chimneys or specific smoke holes in the roof as the smoke would rise through the thatched roof. This could be hazardous, and often these buildings survive in the archaeological record due to apparent sudden fire. However, it also presented the opportunity to hang and smoke meats in the rafters to preserve them over winter.
Smoke also kills off fungus taking hold in the thatch, which can be a huge issue, as well as various other organic and animal action that can be destructive.
@@Archaeos0up Thank you for your work and this prompt reply....I am interested in how the buildings air flow would work considering heat and cold and venting through the stairwell space...Has anyone on your team done airflow tests or simulations?
That's big Ken-ay
Prepare to repel tourists! Rarrr :3
Anyone else reminded of Frank Lloyd Wright?