Broch of Gurness

Step into the heart of an Iron Age community at the Broch of Gurness, one of Orkney’s best-preserved broch villages. Built around 2,000 years ago, the impressive stone tower and surrounding settlement offer a glimpse into daily life at a time when warmth, light and food all depended on the energy people could gather from the landscape.

At the centre of every home was the hearth. More than just a place for cooking, it was where families gathered, stories were shared and rituals were celebrated. As you explore Gurness, look for the large central hearths within the broch tower and the many smaller hearths scattered throughout the settlement.

Fuel was a precious resource in Iron Age Orkney. People relied on peat, turf, brushwood and animal dung to keep their fires burning. Evidence from archaeological excavations suggests that birch and hazel were carefully managed and harvested for fuel, particularly for metalworking. These fires provided the heat that sustained communities, supported craft production and helped people thrive in Orkney’s challenging environment.

Today, Gurness offers a fascinating insight into how past generations harnessed local energy resources, demonstrating the ingenuity and resilience that have long characterised life in Orkney.