Castles, Demolished Links: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
By: Dania
Standing on a promontory formed by two geos, the broch is protected on one side by the sea and on the landward side by a stone rampart and ditch. This massive rampart is built in an arc between the two geos and effectively cuts off access from the land.
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The southern end of the rampart stops short of the geo and leaves a ledge on the rock face by which a "visitor" could easily gain access to the promontory.
Like the Broch of Gurness, Midhowe is surrounded by a group of external buildings. These, however, are probably from a later date, a time when the need for defence was not as important.
http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/brochs/midhowe/
