Calla Broch is situated just to the South-west of modern West Lothian, North-east of Carnwath on the Falla junction off the A70 (Lang Whang) out of Carnwath. Click here for a location map provided by StreetMap.
The Calla Broch has never been fully explored, archaeologically. More problematically, what does remain is not currently particularly visible, given its unkempt woodland context. However, it is clear on visiting the site that if the masses of grass, moss, and so forth were systematically removed, it would be of more immanently evident significance. Unfortunately, given the site's current dilapidation, and lack of professional attention, little can currently be safely assumed about its meaning. Indeed, until recently, it was locally referred to as "the old quarry", and judging by a large pile of rubble adjacent to the site, it seems likely that it was heavily robbed for dry stone walling around the nearby farm.
The Rubble Pile
The remains of the broch are situated in a roughly circular clearing, and appear to be around 12 yards in diameter with the outer wall measuring approximately 5 yards in width.
The Circular Clearing
At various points, the remains of the wall are still protruding from the masses of foliage:
Wall Remains
Wall Remains
On the South-east side, a large tree has extended its roots into the side of the broch wall, and subsequently been blown over, exposing the internal composition of the wall itself:
Inside the Wall
No doorways are evident at present, but a large sub-circular structure appears to be present within the main outer wall. Equally, two large stones are present within the central area of the site, one of which is roughly rounded and appears to bear fire stains, possibly suggesting use as a hearthstone:
Possible Hearthstone?
The second stone is more slab-like and seems to be similar to other such stones which can often be found in brochs, generally near to the doorway:
Slab-like Stone
The precise provenance of Calla Broch is difficult to ascertain, but it is likely that it dates from the first to second century AD, along with the other brochs on the outskirts of Lothian, such as that to the North at Tappoch. However, while that broch seems to form part of the Southern border of Pictavia at the time of the Roman expansions Northwards, the broch at Calla is surely too far South to be a Pictish or proto-Pictish fort as such (although the presence of the apparently Pictish placename, Pettinain, just to the West, is suggestive). Presumably, it is part of the same policy as those to be found on the South-east of Lothian around Duns and Galashiels, such as the famous Edin's Hall broch, and thus a part of the Gododdin border defences. Indeed, it may represent the approximate South-western extent of Gododdin territory in the early historic period.