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Publication Account
Date 2007
Event ID 587018
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/587018
NH79 3 THOR'S TOWER ('Thor's Field’, 'Torboll')
NH/7537 9920
Site of a probable broch in Dornoch, Sutherland, reported as the “ruins of Druid temple” in 1788 [2]. In about 1833 a fine broch, known as Thor's Tower, is said to have stood on the farm of Torboll, in 'Thor's field' [3]. Nothing can be seen now, although the situation is a good one for a broch, being on the summit of a low ridge and overlooking a wide expanse of cultivated land [1].
In 1964 Mr Duncan Vass of Torboll pointed out the spot where in dry summers he has observed a circular green mark in pasture or a dark mark in crops. He estimated the diameter of the circle at 10 to 12 yards. No crop marks could be seen on the available air photographs. Mr Vass had no knowledge of the names 'Thor's Tower' or 'Thor's Field' [1].
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. NH 79 NE 6: 2. Survey of Skelbo, 1788, no. 13: 3. L. Tait 1868, 528.
E W MacKie 2007
