Bow Castle Broch

Summary

Bow Castle is the remains of an iron-age broch near the Gala Water, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, in the parish of Stow. It is a scheduled monument.[1]

Bow Castle
Bow Castle Broch is located in Scottish Borders
Bow Castle Broch
Shown within Scottish Borders
LocationStow of Wedale
Coordinates55°39′57″N 2°51′28″W / 55.665942°N 2.857845°W / 55.665942; -2.857845
TypeBroch
History
PeriodsIron Age
Designated28 February 1924
Reference no.SM1162

Description edit

Bow Castle (grid reference NT46134171) stands on level ground on the edge of a steep slope southwest of the valley of the Gala Water.[2] The broch has a wall 4.1 metres thick, enclosing an area 9.7 metres in diameter.[2]

The broch is one of only three remaining in the Borders; the other two are Torwoodlee Broch, and Edin's Hall Broch.

Excavations edit

It was excavated in 1890 when pottery, including some 2nd-century Roman amphora fragments, were found.[2] In 1922 a 2nd-century Roman enamelled bronze brooch in the form of a cockerel was found among the ruins of the wall.[2]

Information concerning the dating and use of the broch is limited due to the lack of modern excavations.[2] However, Torwoodlee Broch, two miles to the north, was built and destroyed during the Roman occupations of southern Scotland and it is likely that Bow Castle shared a similar history.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Bow Castle, broch 1000m E of Bow (SM1162)". Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Historic Environment Scotland. "Bow Castle (54520)". Canmore. Retrieved 15 February 2014.

Further reading edit

  • Curle, J. (1892) 'Notes on two brochs recently discovered at Bow, Midlothian, and Torwoodlee, Selkirkshire', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 26, Pages 68–70

External links edit

  Media related to Bow Castle Broch at Wikimedia Commons

55°39′57″N 2°51′28″W / 55.665942°N 2.857845°W / 55.665942; -2.857845