Dun Carloway
Archaeological Site Iron Age broch on Lewis, well-preserved
On the Isle of Lewis, visitors find Dun Carloway, a well‑preserved Iron Age broch with thick drystone walls, onsite interpretation and views toward the Hebridean coast.
Dun Carloway is an Iron Age broch located near the village of Carloway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The structure is a notable example of Atlantic roundhouse architecture and is among the better-preserved brochs in the region.
The broch is a drystone tower with thick concentric walls and an internal hollow space; visitors can see the interior plan and surviving wall structures up close. The site is compact and mainly visited for its archaeological interest rather than a large built complex.
Dun Carloway was constructed during the Iron Age and used as a fortified domestic tower; its condition reflects both ancient workmanship and later stone robbing and collapse. It has been recorded and conserved in modern times as an important prehistoric monument.
The broch stands beside a minor road on the west coast of Lewis, a short drive from the island’s main villages; it is set in low, rolling croftland typical of the Outer Hebrides.
- Accessibility: One of the best-preserved broch towers in the Outer Hebrides and easily reached from local roads on the Isle of Lewis.
What to See #
- Broch tower: The circular drystone tower of the broch with an inner hollow passage and a ruined central area; visible from close range and accessible on foot.
How to Get to Dun Carloway #
Dun Carloway is on the Isle of Lewis, north-west of Stornoway. From Stornoway drive along the A857 and then the B8011 toward Carloway; local signage points to the broch. Public buses serve Carloway village from Stornoway in the summer months; from the village the site is a short walk.
Tips for Visiting Dun Carloway #
- Visit at low tide to see more of the broch's foundations and the rocky strand around it.
- A small information board explains the site's archaeology; local museums on Lewis provide more context if time allows.
- Stay on defined paths - erosion around brochs and clifftops can be significant, especially after heavy rain.
Best Time to Visit Dun Carloway #
Best visited in late spring through early autumn for walking and visibility; winter weather on the Outer Hebrides can be severe.
Weather & Climate near Dun Carloway #
Dun Carloway's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1356 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (155 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (157 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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