Broch site

You're standing in front of what amounts to a pile of ancient stones in the middle of nowhere - and that's precisely why it's worth the trip. A broch is an Iron Age roundhouse, uniquely Scottish, built by people who knew how to construct without mortar. The circular stone walls, often still several metres high, tell you these folk were serious about their architecture.

What you get here is the skeleton of one of these structures. Walk around it, run your hand along the stonework if you're allowed, and you can actually feel the craftsmanship. No museum interpretation boards will spoil your imagination. You'll spend maybe thirty minutes here if you're into archaeology; less if you're just passing through from Thurso.

History types will find this genuinely absorbing. There's something about standing where people lived two thousand years ago that puts a spin on things. Kids, though, might find it less thrilling - unless you're good at storytelling. It's a working landscape, not a theme park.

The site is free, which is just as well. Getting here from Thurso takes you north into proper Highland emptiness. If you're based at Little Croft Highlands nearby, it's a straightforward detour on a good day. Bring decent shoes - the ground's rough. There's no café, no facilities, just you and the stones. Go early if the weather looks half decent, because the cloud rolls in fast up here.