Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is an impressive ruin about 3 miles north of Wick and is considered to be one of the earliest seats of the Clan Sinclair. Originally known as Castle Girnigoe it was build sometime between 1476 and 1496 by the 2nd Earl of Caithness, William Sinclair.
The castle was extended in 1606 with new structures comprising a gatehouse, and other buildings surrounded by a curtain wall which were connected to the rest of the castle by a drawbridge over a rock-cut ravine. At this time the Earl of Caithness obtained official permission, in an Act of Parliament, to change the name from Castle Girnigoe to Castle Sinclair. However, both names remained in use.
George Sinclair, the 6th Earl of Caithness died without issue in 1676 and John Campbell of Glenorchy (who had married George's widow) claimed the title of Earl of Caithness. George Sinclair of Keiss was considered the rightful heir and stormed the castle in 1679, an action which led to the Battle of Altimarlech in 1680; in which the Campbells were victorious.
In 1690 George Sinclair of Keiss again besieged the castle which led to such destruction that the castle was abandoned and left to decay. This once impregnable medieval / renaissance stronghold is the most spectacular ruin in the north of Scotland and is being preserved by the Clan Sinclair Trust.
Rating
Categories
Military, Castle
Opening Times
1 May to 30 September; gate to access interior of castle closed at 4pm.
Location Information
Area: Caithness East
OS Grid Reference: ND 3784 5493
Accessibility Information
The castle is accessed along a farm track from the Noss Lighthouse carpark.