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Dun Telve broch, its tall curved drystone wall rising among trees in the green valley of Gleann Beag.
Lochalsh

Dun Telve and Dun Troddan

Two of the best preserved Iron Age brochs in Scotland, 2,000-year-old drystone towers standing just 500 metres apart in Gleann Beag by Glenelg.

Welcome

In Gleann Beag, a green and quiet valley a short way up the road from Glenelg, stand two of the finest brochs in Scotland.

These are drystone towers built some two thousand years ago, and Dun Telve and Dun Troddan stand unusually close together, just five hundred metres apart.

Dun Telve is the taller, still rising more than ten metres in places, a great curved wall of fitted drystone. Dun Troddan, a little further up the glen, is shorter at under eight metres but even better preserved. Both drew attention early for their design, their scale and the quality of their building.

They are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, free and open all year, and it is easy to walk from one to the other. The glen road is single-track, and Bernera Barracks is close by in Glenelg.

A short drive awayGlenelg InnA traditional Highland inn in Glenelg looking over the Sound of Sleat to Skye, with log fires, a cosy bar and local food.10 min by roadSee itPicnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.
Before you go

Open all year round and free.

Where
Gleann Beag, by Glenelg, IV40 8JX.
Age
About 2,000 years.
Height
Dun Telve, over 10 metres.
Where it is

In Gleann Beag, a short drive up the glen road east of Glenelg, IV40 8JX.

Close byGlenelg.
  1. The Glenelg FerryThe Glenelg FerryThe last hand-turned turntable ferry in the world, carrying cars across Kyle Rhea from Glenelg to Skye in summer.3 miles10 min by road
  2. The roofless stone ranges of Bernera Barracks standing in rough grass with a hill behind.Bernera BarracksRedcoat barracks by Glenelg.3 miles10 min by road
  3. Shelves in the Shore Station shop with teddy bears in Skye Ferry jumpers, prints and small gifts.Shore Station Café6 miles14 min by road
  4. Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan CastleThe castle on its island by Dornie.19 miles32 min by road
  5. Kayaks crossing turquoise water towards a white sandy beach between rocky headlandsSea Kayak PlocktonKayaking at Plockton.21 miles45 min by road
Directions
Picnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.RestaurantsGlenelg Inn2.9 miles
Kyle Rhea seen through bare trees from the path to the otter hide, the mainland hills beyond.AttractionsKylerhea Otter Haven5.5 miles
WalksOtter Hide6.6 miles
Woman on a mountain bike pauses on a coastal path overlooking the seaToursKnoydart E-Bike Hire7.2 miles
Stacked logs line a forest track above a loch and hillsToursKnoydart Ranger Service7.2 miles
Whitewashed cottages line a quiet road beneath a mountain ridgeAttractionsInverie7.2 miles
The stone cairn at the Ratagan Pass viewpoint, the Five Sisters of Kintail rising above Loch Duich beyond.AttractionsRatagan Pass viewpoint9.7 miles
Box of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden sliceShoppingChocolates of Glenshiel12 miles
Stone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLochalshLusa BothyPlace to stay · 14 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the brochs, and when each is next free.

Kinloch Lodge, Isle of SkyeKinloch Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Lochalsh
  • 8 miles from the Glenelg brochs
Check datesEilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Lochalsh
  • 8 miles from the Glenelg brochs
Check datesStone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLusa Bothy
  • To stay
  • In Lochalsh
  • 9 miles from the Glenelg brochs
Check datesA dark timber-clad cabin with a corrugated metal roof sits on a gravel drive amid moorland scrub.Stonechat Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Lochalsh
  • 9 miles from the Glenelg brochs
Free 2–5 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in LochalshAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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