By Bernie Bell
Inspired by the Orkney Archaeology Society’s Brochtoberfest, and all things Brochy https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/10/18/poetry-cornertis-the-season-to-be-brochy/, we decided to make a mini-broch in our garden.
The work progresses, and the walls are rising – it’s even got a little doorway – with a Dun Dornaigil lintel…… https://canmore.org.uk/site/4891/dun-dornaigil
…… a triangular stone which we picked up off the beach near Eves Broch, Deerness. More of which – later.
As Mike builds the walls, I am incorporating……… a piece of Amethyst, a piece of Rose Quartz, a piece of Red Jasper, some White Quartz fragments, and a piece of Jade. A heart-shaped stone from the beach, a couple of Groatie Buckies.
Weaving a spell for protection and good fortune. Broch builders were, and are, magicy folk.
We’re now wondering how to go about making a roof. It will have to be solid, and be able to withstand the strong gales which hit our garden in the Autumn and Winter months – we’ve just experienced some!
We’re thinking maybe Willow withies fixed firmly to a wooden frame-work? We have plenty of Willow stems – we’re forever needing to cut them back.
Someone commented….”God forbid Mike should trip over while building your new feature…..it would be broch ‘n’ roll 
”
To be continued……
You can check out the Broctoberfest events…here….
Categories: Uncategorized
Re. Eves Broch…….
https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/10/10/for-brochtober-we-visit-eves-broch/
Incredible! Looking forward for the development.
Keep the track. I’ve remembered Tove Jansson somehow. It was just her notes, that a friend gave an advice to make pictures and create stories for children from that (Moomins).
This is an analogy, but your story is worth to be a good book.
Thank you Larilis!!! I’m not sure if it will become a book – if it becomes a broch we’ll be pleased enough!
I do have ideas about who might live there – more of which later….
I love the Moomin books – first read them as a child, and have read them I don’t know how many times since. They are good for when I need something to soothe me and/or distract me – Snufkin is my favourite character.
Tove Janssen has also written ‘The Summer Book’ and ‘The Winter Book’ for ’grown-ups’ – both very good indeed.
Wonderful! I look forward to updates on the Broch.