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Broch of Mousa. Photo by Colin Smith on

Top 10 Astonishing facts about Broch of Mousa

The Broch of Mousa is a well-conserved Iron age Broch. It was built in 100 BC on an Island in Shetland. It has remained one of the standing Broch, well taken care of. 

The Broch is a famous prehistoric building in Europe. Historic Environment Scotland manages the Broch. The management ensures the Broch is well maintained and protected.

There is an extraordinary sensation as you step on Mousa, where you can feel and see the magnificent historic site and its beautiful surrounding environment.

Here are astonishing facts about the Broch.

1. The Broch is a tower of strength from the Ice Age

Photo by Tirriko on

The Broch is the preserved example of an iron age Broch on the small Island of Mousa in Shetland, and it has remained a historic site over the years, with people visiting to explore and learn more about its history.

During the building, it required skilled laborers to execute the work to ensure long-lasting life for the Broch. It was built using stones held together by gravity and friction.

It was designed to be a monumental, imposing dominance on the Landscape of Mousa.

2. The Mousa means Mossy Island in Old Norse

A Ferry taking tourist to the Broch. Photo by Ronnie Robertson on

The Broch is located miles from the East Coast of mainland Shetland. The Island was inhabitable from the Bronze age until mid 19th century. Nowadays, it is uninhabitable.

A ferry managed by the Mousa Boat from April until September was used to ferry people to the land.

Visitors are advised to visit the Broch with good feet ware carry water and food because there are no facilities on the Island. A torch is highly recommended for evening trips to provide light in the darkness.

3. It remains a mystery why Mousa Broch is still so intact

The Broch was built using dry stones. The stones were held together by friction and gravity, resulting in many Broch having structural failures.

There are over 100 Broch in Shetland, but Mousa remains intact while others have deteriorated. This is because the Mousa was built with such a solidity.

There were croft houses, walls, and fishing stations built during the same time as the Broch, but they have become ruins. The Broch still stands impressive, right?

4. Broch of Mousa had three-storey

The Mousa had three-storey; this is evident by two narrow sacramental lines of protruding stones. Two storeys were built using wood.

For over 2,000 years, the building has remained intact, and the wooden floor has rotten. There was a wheelhouse inserted within the Broch but abandoned. The excavation was done with 3-meter rubble inside being removed.

5. There is more to Mousa than just a Broch

Photo by Helspence on

Some people lived on the Mousa from 1774 until the mid 19th century, when they left the place. This is evident in the Knowe farm building, crofts, a Norse mill, and Haa.

Haa was built in 1783 close to Broch of Mousa, and it’s an impressive Laird’s House. The Haa was built for a merchant from Lerwick called James Pyper, who bought the Island and Moved there to keep his wife from drinking.

At Mousa, you will find large colonies of seals, sheep, and seabirds. A had a middle old red stand stones bed that supplied flagstones for Lerwick’s street and rocks used to build the Broch.

6. The Broch is a habitat for wildlife

The Broch holds 6,800 breeding pairs of Storm Petrels, 8% of the British population and 2.6% of the world population. Most of these birds nest in the gaps in Mousa Broch’s walls.

The birds can be seen in between the cracks. During summer nights, they return from the sea with food. The birds exchange brooding duties with their mates.

Storm Petrels also nest in a field, under rocks near Shingle. Visitors are also advised to stick to the Mousa paths during the visit.

7. The Broch featured in Norse sagas

The Broch was featured in two old Norse sagas during Viking times. The sagas are Egilis and Orkneyings.

In the Orkeyinga saga, Margret, wife of Earld Madda of Athot, started misbehaving when the husband died. She was moving from man to man and bore a son who later abandoned and ran off with Earland Ungi the young.

The son Harald later agreed to forgive her mother only if she married Erland, and Erland supported him in any earldom disputes.

During Egils saga, a couple from Norway said to be Dublin sailing, their ship ran aground on Mousa. They got married at Mousa and made the Broch their winter home as the ship was being repaired.

8. Best preserved Iron age Broch in Europe

The Broch has over 2000 years and is still intact, standing at 13.2 meters tall. The thick walls and small interiors have made the Mousa very strong.

 A spiral staircase with a modern Iron railing was added. The staircases run from the bottom to the top between the inner and outer walls.

Visitors can climb using the spiral staircase up to the top and enjoy the extensive view of Mousa. There is a mesh grill over the central opening to prevent one from falling.

9. The Broch of Mousa is one pair of Brochs

Photo by Rob Farrow on

Other Brochs are built surrounded by other supporting buildings. For example, the Broch of Burland on the mainland of Shetland is a building above the wick of Burland.

The Mousa’s Broch stands alone and has remained intact for centuries making it a historical and heritage site. The Broch attracts thousands of visitors.

10. It is a heritage site

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The Broch is made of dry stones remaining intact for over 2,000 years. This Broch has remained a mystery attracting many people to explore its beauty, culture, and history.

The Broch is installed with staircases, and visitors can climb to enjoy the fantastic view of Shetland from the top.