Old Keiss Castle — Attraction in Scotland

Keiss Castle is a partially ruined castle in Scotland, which stands on sheer cliffs overlooking Sinclair's Bay less than one mile north of Keiss village centre, Caithness, Highland, Scotland. It is protected as a scheduled monument. The old castle was replaced by Keiss House around 1755. The castle was constructed as a Z-plan tower house with 4 floors plus an attic and a vaulted basement. It had a pair of corner towers at opposite angles of a square central block, the main tower being very narrow for its height with tall chimneystacks.

The castle was built possibly on the site of an earlier fort in the late 16th or early 17th century by George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness (1582-1643). It seems the castle was in existence in 1623 when James I commissioned Sir Robert Gordon to enter Caithness with an armed force. The 7th Earl died in the castle in 1698 but it is reported that the castle was ruinous in 1700 and in 1726 as being in repair with 'at the side of it a convenient house lately built'. The estate was purchased by Sir William Sinclair, 2nd Baronet of Dunbeath early in the 18th century and in 1752 Keiss became his family seat.

The current house was built about 1755 but had to be sold in 1765 because of financial difficulties to the Sinclairs of nearby Ulbster. This Category B listed baronial mansion was altered to its current form on the instructions of Col. K. Macleay by David Bryce in 1860, during which it was extended in the Scottish baronial style. It was then sold to the Duke of Portland in 1866. Also included in the listing is the Walled garden to the NE of the house and the gate lodge and gate piers with cast-iron carriage gates installed in the 1860...

We were staying in Keiss so we just walked along to it, however, there are places to park in Keiss. It's a short walk from Keiss harbour and quite a pleasant one too. Once you leave the harbour area it's a grass path. You follow the shoreline and pass 2 WW2 pillboxes, then head down towards the rocks, the castle is standing on the edge of the cliff, holding on for dear life! I can't imagine it will be long before it crashes over onto the beach as much of the ground around it is wearing away. It's fenced off and you can't reach it by continuing along the same trail, you'd need to head into the filed with the cows then climb over the fence again when you reach it. To be honest, it's not worth it and I would bother getting close, it does look like it's ready to tumble. The little bay below the caste was filled with seals when...

Attractive ruin, visible from A99, there's a small layby where it is possible to stop the car but there is no access direct from road. Foot access is along coast from either direction. We stopped in Keiss where there are maybe 3-4 spaces by the harbour pier. There are probably parking options a little further inland in Keiss if it is busy. The walk is an attractive coastal wander past the Sinclair Bay pods and two brochs to the castle ruins. The ruins are barriered off (don't get too close!) but it is more attractive from a little distance anyway. Alternative access is from the carpark to the north near Nybster Broch which is also worth a look. It is a little further from the castle ruins but still a nice walk; there are parking spaces for maybe 5-6 vehicles at...