Scheduled Monument

Dalsetter, broch W of Stack of the Brough, BoddamSM2051

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
19/06/1934
Last Date Amended
30/09/1997
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: broch
Local Authority
Shetland Islands
Parish
Dunrossness
NGR
HU 40747 15689
Coordinates
440747, 1115689

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a broch with outer defensive works, situated on a hillock overlooking the sea. The monument was scheduled in 1934, but the protected area did not extend over the outer defences, hence this extension, which also includes the remains of a substantial croft of much more recent date.

The broch itself is reduced to a large mound of rubble, up to 4m high, which forms a prominent skyline feature. This mound probably conceals substantial remains of the lower parts of the broch structure, which still stands to at least 1.5m. Around the broch, at approximately 7m and 15m from it, are two earthen ramparts with an intervening ditch. The maximum base to top relief is 2m. On the ESE is what may be a causeway or entrance running through these banks.

On the N and NW flanks of the broch, overlying the outer defences, are the ruins of relatively recent croft buildings, and ruined walls, more probably associated with the croft than with the broch, run off to the W. There has also been a rectangular structure on top of the ruined broch, probably of this same late date.

The area now to be scheduled is irregular on plan, bounded on the W and SW by existing field boundaries, which are not themselves included in the scheduling. It measures a maximum of 120m NW-SE by 100m NE-SW, to include the broch, its outer defences, the croft ruins and an area around all of these in which evidence relating to their construction and use is likely to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

References

Bibliography

No Bibliography entries for this designation

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 19/10/2026 14:49