It is generally agreed that it was built between
200BC and 100BC.  Standing around 8m high,
with an internal diameter of 20m, the broch was a
tall, easily-defended tower, surrounded by a series
of small stone dwellings which probably housed a
community of up to 40 families and which filled
all the available space between broch and the outer
defences.  The dwellings were partitioned off into
separate living areas, each containing a hearth,
stone furniture, and even a recognisable toilet.
 The entire settlement was circled by outer
defences comprising of a band of three
ramparts and three ditches.