Torwoodlee Broch

The Broch and the Hill Fort of Torwoodlee there are three kilometers west of Galashiels in the Borders Scotland on a 300 m high spur ( Harri Galt Head ) in a loop of the Gala Water, by the A72 ( road ) is reachable. It is one of only three Broch in the Border Region.

The multi-period, 1891 and 1950 examined the excavated monument shows evidence of intentional destruction. The ramparts of the slightly oval Hill Forts of about 110 × 130 m are barely recognizable. The excavation of the Broch showed that it was built partly over the backfilled trenches of the Hill forts and later canceled planned. The Broch wall survived to a height of less than one meter, but it remained interesting details visible. The passage shows the remains of a guard cell and a shoulder against a wooden door has been locked. The interior lying within the 5.2 m thick wall has about 12 m in diameter. A common access right leads to an intramural cell and left to the beginning of the inland wall stairs.

Roman artifacts ( glass and ceramics) from the late 1st century, under the Broch, indicate that it was built around 100 AD or later. The Roman material could be loot from the raid on the Trimontium Castel in Newstead.

The Broch was, which is relatively rare, but was also observed at much older Broch of Cross Kirk, surrounded by a wall and a 2.7 m wide and 1.6 m deep trench. The excavation revealed that he had been filled with the rubble from the demolition of the Broch. This was immediately after the trench was dug happen. It is risky to combine archaeological findings with historical events. In this case, it seems at least possible, the fate of the Broch with the advance of the Romans to the border on the Antonine Wall ( 142-144 AD) to join, especially the extension of Dere Street to Edinburgh near ran past. Also the Leckie Broch north of the new Walls was destroyed at that time.