Ancient Caithness site 'occupied for 1,000 years'

The site of one of Scotland's most important mainland broch settlements may have been home to early people for up to 1,000 years, evidence suggests.

Archaeologists and volunteers have uncovered what could be the remains of walls dating back to 700 to 500 BC at Nybster in Caithness.

Andy Heald, of AOC Archaeology, said further investigations would need to be made to confirm the structure's age.

Evidence of possible Pictish and medieval occupation has been recorded.

A key feature of the site are the remains of a massive stone wall roundhouse, known as a broch.

Caithness has more brochs per square mile than any other part of Scotland, according to Highland Council.

Examples of the ancient buildings are also found on Orkney. .......