Broch Society (JD)
With no written history, it is difficult to know much about the life of the broch inhabitants. I am just re-reading a historical novel, based on the life of Sgathach, a female iron age warrior. Some believe that Skye is named after her. Legends abound about the fierce warrior who taught the "arts" of combat to young men, including Cuchulain (after whom the Cuillin were named).
"Warrior Daughter" by Janet Paisley offers a novelist's view of Iron Age Life on Skye.
Sgathach, in the novel at least, was born at Dun Beag (Struan) but after her mother's death she was "fostered" and sent to the Glenelg brochs. As an adult Sgathach returned to Skye to Dunscaith (which according to the author is a corruption of Dun Sgathach)
The setting is a totally matriarchal society - an early Celtic society. Janet Paisley believes that it was the Romans who brought over the concept of a patriarchal society. One could compare Sgathach with Cartimandua of the Brigantes and Boudica, or the Wetwang chariot queen:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/archaeology/wetwang/wetwang_chariot_queen_01.shtml
Does anyone else know much about early Celtic Society?
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