{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Use British English|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox historic site |name = Broch of Culswick |native_name = |alternate_name = |image = Broch of culswick 1.jpg |alt = |caption = Broch of Culswick |map_type = Scotland Shetland |location = Mainland, Shetland |coordinates = {{coord|60.186958|-1.544124|display=it|format=dms}} |type = Broch |epochs = Iron Age }} The '''Broch of Culswick''' (also '''Culswick Broch''') is an unexcavated coastal broch in the Shetland Islands of Scotland ({{gbmapping|HU25384481}}). It has good views all around, including Foula and Vaila isles, and Fitful Head and Fair Isle in the south. The broch stands on the top of a rock platform and is about 3 metres high at its tallest point. Much rubble has fallen into the centre. This broch has a massive triangular lintel stone over the entrance, which is partly filled with rubble. Drawings by Low in 1774 and Skene in 1805 reveal that the structure survived very well up to those dates.

==Location== The Broch of Culswick is located a kilometre west of Culswick in the parish of Sandsting.<ref name="ritchie">{{cite book |last=Ritchie |first=J N G |date=1998 |title=Brochs of Scotland |publisher=Shire Publications |page=50 |isbn=0747803897}}</ref> It is on top of a steep, smooth knoll near cliffs and the sea.<ref name="rcahms">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=337 |num2=HU24SE 4 |desc=Broch Of Culswick |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref>

==Description== The Broch of Culswick has an external diameter of around 16 metres with walls preserved up to a height of 3.5 metres.<ref name="rcahms"/> The main entrance is clearly visible but debris nearly fills the passage.<ref name="rcahms"/> The lintel is a massive triangular stone.<ref name="ritchie"/> A "guard cell" was visible to the right of the main entrance.<ref name="rcahms"/> The interior of the broch is full of debris.<ref name="rcahms"/> The inside face of an upper gallery can be seen above the entrance, and another void or doorway is visible in the inner wall face.<ref name="rcahms"/>

Culswick Broch was better preserved in 1774 when George Low's drawing shows three complete intramural galleries preserved on top of the buried lower storey as well as a scarcement ledge on the inside face.<ref name="rcahms"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Broch of Culswick}} *{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM2055|desc=Broch of Culswick}}

{{Broch}} {{Prehistoric Shetland}}

Culswick Category:Scheduled monuments in Shetland Category:Mainland, Shetland