Leckie Broch facts for kids
Overgrown interior of Leckie Broch
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 Location in Stirling
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| Location | Stirlingshire |
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| Coordinates | 56°07′12″N 4°06′20″W / 56.119867°N 4.105453°W |
| Type | Broch |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age, Roman |
Leckie Broch is an ancient tower from the Iron Age. It is located in Stirlingshire, Scotland. This special type of building is called a broch. Archaeologists have studied Leckie Broch to learn about the people who lived there long ago.
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Finding Leckie Broch
Leckie Broch is found in Stirlingshire, Scotland. It sits on the southern hills of the Forth Valley. It is near where two streams meet. The site is west of a place called Gargunnock.
For a long time, it was hard to visit Leckie Broch. Thick plants called rhododendrons covered the area. In 2020, these plants were cleared away. Now, it is much easier to reach the broch.
To find it, take the path east of Saw Mill Cottage. Follow this path along the east side of Leckie Burn. You will cross a bridge marked "1878". Turn right along the "ridge" (a raised path). The broch will be about 100 meters ahead.
History of the Broch
Archaeologists first learned about Leckie Broch in the 1960s. Before the early 1800s, this area was covered in swamps. This made it very difficult to explore.
From 1970 to 1978, archaeologists dug up the site. This process is called an excavation. They carefully removed soil to find old objects and structures. Their work helped us understand the broch's long history.
What Leckie Broch Was Like
Leckie Broch is one of only a few brochs found in southern Scotland. Brochs are tall, round stone towers. They were built by people during the Iron Age.
We do not know how tall Leckie Broch was originally. Its walls have been damaged over time. Archaeologists believe it was a hollow tower. It likely had wooden floors and rooms inside.
The site shows several different time periods, or "phases." These phases date from the Roman period. Archaeologists know this because they found clues. These clues include Roman pottery, glass, coins, and special measurements called radiocarbon dates.
Here are the different phases of Leckie Broch:
- Phase 1: An Early Hut
* The very first structure was a small hut. It was built under where the broch would later stand. * Bones from sheep found in a post hole suggest this hut existed around AD 80.
- Phase 2: Building the Broch
* The broch was built next. * Archaeologists found Roman pottery called Samian ware. This pottery had stamps on it. * These stamps show the broch was built after AD 79 or 80.
- Phase 3: Living in the Tower
* People lived in the broch tower for about 60 years.
- Phase 4: The Broch is Destroyed
* There is evidence that the broch caught fire. * The tower then suddenly collapsed.
- Phase 5: Coming Back to the Site
* After the fire, people came back to the site. * They made some repairs to the damaged broch. * They also built a new roundhouse on the site.
- Phase 6: Fortified and Left
* The site was made stronger, like a small fort. * However, it was then completely abandoned. * A medieval coin was found later. But it is not thought that much happened at the site after the 2nd century AD.
Some experts think that after the fire, the broch was rebuilt as a promontory fort. A promontory fort is a defensive site built on a piece of land that sticks out. However, some people are not sure if the second phase was truly a promontory fort.
Amazing Finds
The eight years of archaeological digs found many interesting items. These included brooches (decorative pins) and armlets (bracelets).
These finds are now kept at The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery. This museum is part of the University of Glasgow. You can see pictures of some of these finds online. Visit the Hunterian website to view them.
See also
- Coldoch Broch, another broch located about 3 miles north of Leckie Broch.
