
Minera broch mound behind its surrounding wall.
Minera broch mound behind its surrounding wall.
Minera broch mound.
A short stretch of walling courses at Minera broch.
Stones peek out from the broch mound.
This depression with large stones could be the entrance passage at Minera broch mound.
Visited: August 9, 2020
Minera is a largely grassy mound some 3.5 metres tall which Canmore rates as one of the best preserved broch mounds in Caithness. The belief is that the structure contains “substantial structural remains and a largely untouched stratigraphy.”
Minera is surrounded by a well-built wall which doubtless consists of stones that were originally exterior walling courses of the broch itself. Nevertheless, there are a considerable number of stones peeking out from the undergrowth and a short stretch where somewhat dilapidated walling is visible. There is a depression running into the mound from the west which contains two large stones which Canmore suggests could have been part of the entrance passage.
To reach Minera, follow the road signed “Houstry 3 miles”, a little over quarter of a mile northeast of Dunbeath on the A9, for the full 3 miles till you see the turbines of Buolfruich Windfarm. A short distance before the windfarm, a road branches to the right and there is room to park. Minera is just 200 metres from this junction, probably hidden by the farm outbuildings on the right. To visit, walk about 50 metres up the side road to a field gate, beyond which a well walked path heads past the outbuildings directly to the broch.
Just a few hundred metres farther on is another broch mound, Tiantulloch.