Nybster Explained

Country:Scotland
Static Image Width:240px
Official Name:Nybster
Map Type:Caithness
Coordinates:58.5558°N -3.088°W
Os Grid Reference:ND367876
Unitary Scotland:Highland
Lieutenancy Scotland:Inverness
Post Town:Wick
Postcode District:KW14
Postcode Area:KW

Nybster is a scattered rural and crofting township, situated in Caithness and is in the Scottish council area of Highland. It is located along the A9 road, south of Auckengill and south of John o' Groats.[1]

It is the location of the Nybster Broch, first excavated by Rev James Maxwell Joass (of Golspie in 1895[2] and again by Sir Francis Tress Barry in about 1900.[3] A broch is an Iron Age building that is unique to Scotland. This one was probably built between about 200 BC and 200 AD and re-used during the Pictish period (AD 300 - 800). The Caithness Broch Centre nearby provides an opportunity to learn more about the communities that lived in the brochs, those who excavated them and the communities who are still involved with them today.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Murphy, Alan. Scotland Highlands & Islands Footprint Handbook. 10 April 2014. Footprint Travel Guides. 978-1-909268-62-3. 264.
  2. Web site: Letter from J M Joass to Dr J Anderson, 30 September 1895, describing excavations at Nybster Broch, Caithness and illustrating painted pebbles found at Wester Broch and Road Broch from the excavations ... | Canmore.
  3. Book: Proceedings of the ... Viking Congress. 1950. Oliver and Boyd. 978-0-7486-0430-2. 35.