Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is located about 3 miles north of Wick (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Ùige) on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Gallaibh, Alba). The monument consists of the ruins of two castles Castle Girnigoe and Castle Sinclair, with a defensive ditch on their western and southern sides. Girnigoe Castle is dated to the late 15th century and was in the possession of William Sinclair (1459 – 9 September 1513) Earl of Caithness and chief of the Clan Sinclair, who died fighting the English at the Battle of Flodden on 9 September 1513. There is some evidence that the castle was built on the site of an existing promontary fort. Sinclair Castle was built in either 1606 or 1607. 

Both of these castles stand on a narrow rocky peninsula.  It projects into the sea for a distance of about 400 feet and rises from approximately 40 feet to 60 feet above sea level. On its north and east sides it is bordered by the sea and to the south by a narrow sea inlet. To the west and south the castles are protected on by a defensive ditch. The buildings at the west end of the peninsula are the outer ward of Castle Sinclair and include a gatehouse.

Adjacent to this follows the keep of Girnigoe Castle which is protected by a second trench. To the east of Girnigoe Castle stand the remains of a range of narrow buildings on the north side of the peninsula. On the south side of the peninsula is a curtain wall which extends for just under 112 feet. This joins to another narrow range of buildings along the eastern tip of the peninsula. A flight of steps leads down to a watergate and a boat landing stage.

There is a chilling story  associated with the castle involving George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. In 1577 it is said that he imprisoned his son John Sinclair, Master of Caithness, in Castle Girnigoe. He did this because he suspected him of rebelling against his rule. His son was held in the castle for seven years. His father then fed him a diet of salted beef, with nothing to drink, and his son eventually went mad and died from thirst.

Link: World Monuments Fund - Castle Sinclair Girnigoe.