Dun CarlowayDun Carloway at a Glance
About Dun Carloway
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.
Nearby Attractions to Dun Carloway
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 149 mm | overcast | 82% | 8.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 113 mm | overcast | 81% | 8.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 123 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 76 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 6° | 62 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 9° - 13° | 11° | 70 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 11° - 15° | 13° | 82 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 15° | 13° | 92 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 128 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 155 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 157 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 149 mm | overcast | 81% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
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.