Bow Castle Broch

Bow Castle is an Iron Age broch on level ground at the edge of a steep slope above the Gala Water in the Scottish Borders. Its thick stone wall encloses a circular area about ten metres across. The site sits southwest of the valley, looking down over the river’s course. Only three such brochs remain in the Borders, the others being Torwoodlee and Edin’s Hall. The broch stands as a scheduled monument, protected by law for its national importance. Excavations in 1890 uncovered pottery including fragments of second-century Roman amphorae. A Roman enamelled bronze cockerel brooch was found in 1922 among the ruins. Evidence suggests the broch was built and later destroyed during Roman occupation of southern Scotland. Modern excavations have been limited, so much of its history remains uncertain. Archaeologists compare it with nearby Torwoodlee Broch to understand how these towers spread beyond northern Scotland. Visitors today see low turf-covered stonework marking the broch’s circular wall. The remains stand on open farmland near Stow of Wedale, with no visitor facilities. The site overlooks the Gala Water valley and can be reached on foot across the surrounding landscape. Its legal protection ensures the buried deposits remain undisturbed. The circular outline is still visible in the ground, offering a quiet glimpse into the Iron Age.