The Picts and their Brochs
produced it being in constant operation, it remains undiminished. Along the line of the Vir two seas meet at right angles, and the result is the formation of a ridge running in a diagonal between the lines of force. The sound here is called Vaarasound. The word Vir appears to be the prefix in the place-name Virkie, in Dunrossness, and of the ancient earthwork in the Blue Mull already referred to.
On the mainland of Unst, half a mile south from the Holm, there is another very extensive broch called the Overbrough, consisting of a central tower with two concentric walls or embankments about 20 feet apart. From this ancient fort a very wide view can be obtained, both seaward and landward. The sentinel on its watch-tower could signal to no fewer than seven brochs, viz.:. Brough Holm; Brough of North Yell; Snaabrough, Oganess, and Musselbrough, in Unst; Strandiebrough and Brough Lodge, in Fetlar.
Regarding the brochs in the district of
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