Broch conservation work at Ousdale to feature on radio show
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CONSERVATION work carried out by Caithness Broch Project is to be highlighted next week on a BBC Radio Scotland show.
Presenter Mark Stephen visited the county earlier this month to speak to some of those involved in the project and to see the work that is under way at local broch sites.
Featuring on the Our Story programme on Tuesday, March 3, at 1.30pm, will be Ousdale Broch – a drystone tower which may have been home to an Iron Age chieftain. The site has been the subject of some recent conservation work.
One of the project's directors, Iain Maclean, said: "Ousdale was once said to be Caithness's finest example of a broch, but unfortunately it fell into a state of disrepair and was becoming unsafe."
He explained that a tree had been growing in the structure for around 30 years and a buttress built during previous excavation work some 100 years ago had collapsed.
When the broch was excavated by James Mackay in 1891 a human skeleton was discovered and research showed that the site was being used after the Iron Age.
The tree has now been removed and it is hoped to use parts of it to make some token objects, including a quaich and a carved goddess head, which can be placed within the broch.
"We hope the broch will make a good addition to Caithness heritage and a worthy site for people venturing on the North Coast 500," Mr Maclean said.
He and fellow project founder Kenneth McElroy took the BBC presenter to Ousdale to show him the work being carried out. This includes parking and a new path down to the site, along with interpretation panels.
The panels provide information about the history of the broch, as well as that of the Ord of Caithness, which Mr Maclean explained was at one time known as the most dangerous stretch of road in the county. Information is also given about the village of Borg, a post-medieval settlement, and another panel explains the geology of Caithness.
As previously reported, Caithness Broch Project acquired £180,000 of funding towards the conservation of Ousdale Broch with grants coming from SSE's Caithness Beatrice Community Fund, Historic Environment Scotland’s repair grant scheme and the Highland Leader programme.
The charity, which promotes the archaeological landscape of Caithness as a heritage tourism destination, started the project in 2015. However, it took a long time for the group to acquire the necessary permission and conservation work only started at the broch last October.
Two specialised conservation masons were employed on the project from G Brown Stonemason Ltd, and Highland Conservation put in the path. Permission for the path to be constructed was given by Anson MacAuslan, factor of Welbeck Estates.
Signs still need to be put up on the road and some trees have to be cut down around the parking area, which is situated south of Ousdale Farm near a lay-by on the A9. The site should be ready for visitors within the next couple of months.
The radio show will also feature a recording made at Keiss Broch with another director and committee member, Chris Aitken, as well as interviews with others.
One topic of interest will be the charity's main aim of building a replica broch as a tourist attraction.
