The Caithness Broch visitor centre in the Highlands, Scotland has reopened to the public.

Formerly known as the Northlands Viking Centre, the updated facility will showcase the prehistory of the north coast of Caithness, focusing on the construction of brochs - defensive round towers built in the Iron Age.

An exhibit displaying 150 items, including gaming pieces, painted pebbles, spindle whorls and stone balls, donated by National Museums Scotland will tell visitors the story of the community from the establishment of the brochs 2,000 years ago to the present day.

Bill Fernie, chair of The Highland Council's education, culture and sport committee, said: "I am very pleased that we are now able to present an important element of the history and archaeology of the north in a great new setting.

"The new visitor centre will add to the growing list of places of interest for both local people and visitors to find out about the area and its past. Caithness has been called Broch Central due to the many brochs and standing stones to be found - one of the largest concentrations in Scotland."

The Caithness Archaeological Trust (CAT) carried out the development in cooperation with National Museums Scotland and the council. Funding came from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Highland 2007, Highland Leader and the council.

Malcolm Caithness, chair of CAT, added: "This exciting new Caithness Broch Centre is as much about the people living there today as their ancestors who excavated the brochs in Victorian times and those who built them two thousand years ago."