[2] The central court has an internal diameter of around 7m, and there is a doorway leading to an intramural stairway, similar to those still surviving at Mousa on Shetland and Dun Telve near Glenelg.
[4][6] The excavations revealed layers of ash and charcoal on the floor, alongside broken animal bones, large quantities of common periwinkle and limpet shells, and wild hazelnuts.
Artefacts recovered included pottery fragments, polished lignite, quern-stones, whetstones, a metalworking crucible, mica schist discs, a segment of a jet armlet, and part of a wooden dish or scoop.
[1] Deviant burials are known from a wide variety of prehistoric and historical periods, including the Iron Age, so its association with the primary phase of use of the broch is not impossible.
[7] In addition to previous antiquarian efforts, the highly intrusive excavation in 1891 led to the structure becoming unstable, and a buttress was constructed in the interior of the broch by Mackay to provide support.
Amongst other issues, the buttress built by Mackay had collapsed, a large tree was growing into the interior, and parts of the stonework were beginning to bulge inwards.
[1] The Caithness Broch Project were responsible for initiating and overseeing the conservation efforts: Historic Environment Scotland were approached and approved the consolidation, before a structural inspection and detailed repair plans were undertaken.
[1] Stabilisation of the cells, walls, and entrance passage was achieved using hardwood pinnings, a pioneering technique in the conservation of historic buildings.