A massive triangular lintel marks the entrance into Caisteal Grugaig. Caisteal Grugaig is an Iron Age broch (an Iron Age drystone round tower), a drystone roundhouse tower, standing on a rocky knoll near the eastern end of Loch Alsh.
The broch was cleared in 1889 without a detailed surviving record, and a 1924 excavation brought only minimal results. Its architecture remains the main evidence: a guard cell, intramural rooms, a mural stair, and traces of an upper room show the internal complexity of the tower.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Caisteal Grugaig was built in the Iron Age on a rocky knoll near Loch Alsh.
The broch was constructed on uneven ground, leaving the natural interior floor sloping.
The entrance passage was built on the north-east side with a massive triangular lintel.
The broch was cleared out in 1889, but no detailed excavation record seems to survive.
Another excavation attempt in 1924 produced minimal results.
A decorated steatite cup apparently from the site is held in the National Museum of Scotland.
Connections
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Loch Alsh
Lochside Highland setting near the broch.
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Glenelg brochs
Dun Telve and Dun Troddan lie a few miles to the south.
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National Museum of Scotland
Holds a decorated steatite cup apparently from the site.
What to look for
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Triangular lintel
Large stone over the entrance passage.
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Guard cell
Elongated cell off the left side of the entrance.
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Mural stair
Five surviving steps lead to a long landing and second stair flight.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.2665°N · 5.5393°W
- Access
- Open access
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
- Broch stands on a small rocky knoll; access not established by the source pack.
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Questions people ask
- What is Caisteal Grugaig?
- It is an Iron Age broch near Loch Alsh in the Highlands.
- What can be seen inside?
- The source pack describes intramural rooms, a guard cell, a mural stair, and traces of an upper room.
- Was it excavated?
- It was cleared in 1889 and investigated again in 1924, but the record is limited.
- Is it the same as Dun Grugaig near Glenelg?
- No. The source pack warns not to confuse Caisteal Grugaig with the semi-broch Dun Grugaig.
Sources
Explore more: Fortified places · Iron Age · Highland
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