Keiss Castle

🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Cliff-Hanger of Caithness — Keiss Castle

If you are navigating the A99 between Wick and John o' Groats, you’ll find one of the most dramatic coastal scenes in the Highlands. Keiss Castle doesn't just sit near the sea; the "Old" castle looks like it’s actively trying to decide whether to stay on the land or join the Atlantic.

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📍 Location

• Where is it? Located just north of the village of Keiss in Caithness.
• Setting: It perches on the very edge of a sheer cliff overlooking Sinclair’s Bay.
• Coordinates: 58.594N, 3.048W ///deleting.crossing.slices
• Van Access: There is a small parking area near the Keiss harbour. From there, it’s a stunning, relatively flat coastal walk to the ruins. The path can be narrow and windy, so watch your step (and your dog!) near the cliff edges.

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

There are actually two Keiss Castles: the original 16th-century "Old" castle and the 18th/19th-century "New" castle.

1. The Sinclair Stronghold (Late 16th Century)

• The Founders: Old Keiss Castle was built around 1590 by George Sinclair, the 5th Earl of Caithness.
• The Design: It was a classic Z-plan tower house, four storeys high, built specifically to guard the northern approaches to the Sinclair lands.
• The Siege: In the 17th century, the castle was attacked and captured by the Glenorchy Campbells during a bitter feud over the Earldom of Caithness—one of the last great private clan wars in Scotland.

2. The Move Inland (1755)

• New Keiss Castle: By the mid-1700s, the old tower was becoming dangerously unstable due to coastal erosion. Sir William Sinclair built a new, more comfortable home (originally called Keiss House) slightly further inland.

3. The Victorian Glow-Up (1860)

• The "New" castle was purchased by the MacLeay family. They hired the legendary architect David Bryce to transform the plain house into a sprawling Scottish Baronial mansion, complete with the turrets and "fairy-tale" features you see today.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Keiss was a strategic "northern eye" during some of the most turbulent shifts in British power.

• Jacobite Loyalties: During the 1745 Rising, Francis Sinclair of Keiss was a known Jacobite sympathizer. While the far north was often a patchwork of loyalties, Keiss acted as a potential landing spot and communication link for those supporting the Stuart claim to the throne.
• Control of the Northern Sea Lanes: Politically, the Sinclairs of Keiss were vital to the Scottish Crown's ability to monitor the Pentland Firth. Whoever held Keiss and nearby Ackergill controlled the "front door" to the Highlands from the North Sea.
• The Agricultural Revolution: The transition from the old defensive tower to the new mansion reflects the "Improvement" era of the 18th century, where Highland chiefs shifted from being military warlords to landed gentry, fundamentally changing the social and political fabric of the North.

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🦭 Johnny’s "Wildcard" Tip:

While you're walking out to the castle, keep your eyes on the rocks below in Keiss harbour. It is a massive hotspot for Grey Seals! At low tide, you can often see dozens of them "banana-ing" on the rocks. It’s a great chance for some wildlife photography to break up the history.

Would you rather live in the rugged, cliffside ruin or the grand Victorian mansion? Let us know in the comments which one captures your imagination! 🚐💨👇

#CastlesOfScotland #KeissCastle #Caithness #ScottishHistory #NC500 #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr #ExploreScotland

 

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiss_Castle

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing

Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

Ackergill Tower

🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Ghostly Grandeur of Ackergill Tower

If you’re touring the far north near Wick, you can't miss the massive, five-story silhouette of Ackergill Tower standing defiantly against the North Sea. It looks like something straight out of a gothic novel—and with its history of kidnapped heiresses and Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers, it practically is!

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📍 Location

• Where is it? Situated on the shores of Sinclair’s Bay, about 2 miles north of Wick in Caithness.
• Setting: It’s built on the very edge of the sea, surrounded by flat, windswept Machair and a massive sandy beach that stretches for miles.
• Coordinates 58.475N, 3.106W. ///enrolling.take.task
• Van Access: It’s an easy turn-off from the A99. While the tower itself has transitioned back to a private estate (it was a famous luxury hotel for years), you can get fantastic views from the surrounding coastal paths. It’s a great spot to park up nearby and enjoy a bracing walk along the beach.

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Ackergill’s story is dominated by a 150-year-old "blood feud" between two of Scotland's most powerful families.

1. The Keiths vs. The Sinclairs (14th - 17th Century)

• The Founders: Built in the late 1400s by the Clan Keith, specifically the Earls Marischal.
• The Tragedy of Helen Gunn: This is the castle’s most famous (and saddest) legend. In the 15th century, Helen Gunn (the "Beauty of Braemore") was kidnapped by Dugald Keith and imprisoned in the tower. To escape his advances, she allegedly leapt to her death from the battlements. Her ghost, the "Red Lady," is said to haunt the tower to this day.
• The Seizures: Because of its strategic value, the Sinclairs of Caithness attacked and captured the tower multiple times, leading to decades of legal and literal battles over who owned the keys.

2. The Cromwellian Occupation (1651)

• During the English invasion of Scotland, Oliver Cromwell’s troops occupied Ackergill. They recognized its massive defensive strength and used it as a northern garrison to keep the Highlanders in check.

3. The Dunbar Era & David Bryce (18th - 19th Century)

• In 1699, the tower was sold to the Dunbars of Hempriggs. In the mid-1800s, they hired the famous architect David Bryce to transform the rugged medieval fort into a grand Scottish Baronial mansion. He added the cap-houses and turrets that give it that "fairy-tale" look we see today.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Ackergill Tower was more than just a house; it was a pawn in the high-stakes game of British power.

• Control of the North: In the medieval era, holding Ackergill meant controlling the shipping lanes of the North Sea. It was a vital link in the chain of coastal defenses that kept the far north under the influence of the Scottish Crown (or whoever was strong enough to hold it).
• English Civil War Strategy: Its occupation by Cromwell's New Model Army shows how significant the tower was to English interests. By holding Ackergill, the English could prevent royalist reinforcements from landing in the North and suppress any pro-Stuart uprisings in Caithness.
• The Jacobite Shift: Like many Caithness estates, the political leanings of its owners shifted with the winds. The Dunbars were astute survivors, navigating the treacherous waters of the Jacobite risings to ensure the tower remained one of the few Highland strongholds that stayed inhabited and intact throughout the centuries.

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📸 Johnny’s "Creator" Tip:

If you want the ultimate shot for your blog or YouTube channel, head down to Ackergill Harbour at low tide. You get the rugged stone pier in the foreground with the towering castle rising behind it. It’s pure drama!

Would you stay in a castle with a resident ghost, or do you prefer to keep your? Let's hear your ghost stories in the comments! 🚐��👻

#CastlesOfScotland #AckergillTower #Wick #Caithness #ScottishHistory #GhostStories #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr

Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

 

Brims Castle

🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Lonely Watchman — Brims Castle

If you’re navigating the rugged north coast near Thurso, most people head straight for Dunnet Head or John o' Groats. But for those who want to see a 16th-century tower house that still feels like it’s guarding the sea, Brims Castle is a must-see. It’s a hauntingly beautiful ruin that sits right on the edge of the Pentland Firth.

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📍 Location

• Where is it? Situated at Brims Ness, about 5 miles west of Thurso in Caithness.
• Setting: It sits on a low cliff overlooking the Atlantic, specifically the treacherous waters of the Pentland Firth. On a clear day, the views across to the Orkney Islands are incredible.
• Coordinates: 58.618N, 3.652W ///competing.loom.doses
• Van Access: Access is via a narrow road leading to Brims Mains farm. It’s a quiet spot, but since it’s a working farm area, be mindful of where you park. It’s a great place to stretch your legs and listen to the "Merry Men of Mey" (the famous tidal races) roaring in the distance.

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Brims is an L-plan tower house that has seen centuries of Sinclair family drama.

1. The Sinclair Stronghold (16th Century)

• The Founders: Built in the late 16th century, likely by the Sinclairs of Dunbeath. The Sinclairs were the undisputed "Kings of the North" during this era, and Brims was a vital link in their coastal defenses.
• The Structure: It was originally a three-story tower with a vaulted ground floor. Over the years, a larger mansion house was built right up against it, creating a strange mix of medieval defense and 18th-century comfort.

2. The Inhabitants

• Patrick Sinclair: One of the most famous residents was Patrick Sinclair of Brims in the 17th century. The castle remained in the Sinclair family for generations before eventually passing to the Earls of Caithness.
• Continuous Life: Unlike many ruins that were abandoned in the 1700s, Brims was actually inhabited well into the 20th century. It only fell into its current state of ruin in the last 50-60 years.

3. The "White Lady" Legend

• No Scottish castle is complete without a ghost! Legend says the castle is haunted by "Peerie Mary," a daughter of the house who had a doomed affair with a local man. When her father found out, he allegedly murdered her and hid her body in the castle walls.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Brims Castle played a quiet but strategic role in the northern "chess match" of Scottish and English politics.

• The Graveyard of Ships: Its primary significance was maritime. The Pentland Firth was the main shipping lane for the English Navy and European merchant fleets. Whoever held castles like Brims could monitor (and sometimes "salvage" from) the ships passing between the Atlantic and the North Sea.
• Clan Sinclair Power: Politically, Brims was a tool used by the Earls of Caithness to maintain their grip on the north. In an era where the Scottish Crown in Edinburgh was often too far away to exert real power, these northern towers acted as local "police stations" and tax offices.
• The Jacobite Context: While not a major battle site, the Sinclairs were often caught between their loyalty to the Stuart Kings and the reality of English military presence in the north. Brims was a safe house and lookout point during the various 18th-century uprisings.

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🚐 Johnny’s Travel Tip:

Brims Ness is world-famous among surfers for its incredible reef break. If you’re there during a swell, you might see some brave souls taking on the massive Atlantic waves right in front of the castle. It makes for a brilliant video backdrop!

Do you prefer these "working farm" ruins where you can really feel the local life, or the manicured "museum" castles? Let’s see your Caithness photos in the comments! 👇🚐💨

#CastlesOfScotland #BrimsCastle #Caithness #Thurso #ScottishHistory #PentlandFirth #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brims_Castle

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing

Linktree  https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

Borve Castle, Sutherland

 

🏰 Castles of Scotland

Borve Castle, Sutherland

If you are navigating the rugged North Coast 500 route and find yourself near Bettyhill, there is a jagged silhouette on the cliffs that every history lover needs to see. Borve Castle (also known as Castle Borve) is the skeletal remains of a 14th-century stronghold that once guarded the wild shores of Strathnaver.

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📍 Location

• Where is it? Situated on a high, rocky promontory at the western end of Torrisdale Bay, near the village of Bettyhill in Sutherland.
• Setting: It clings to a narrow ridge surrounded by vertical drops into the Atlantic. The location was chosen for one reason: total defensibility.
• Coordinates: 58.528N, 4.258W  ///vehicle.wisdom.sprouting
• Van Access: There is a small parking area near the start of the track in Bettyhill. The walk to the ruins is a bit of a scramble over grassy slopes, so sturdy boots are a must!

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Borve was the "den of lions" for one of the most fearsome clans in the North.

1. The Mackay Stronghold (14th - 16th Century)

• The Inhabitants: For over 200 years, this was the principal seat of the Mackays of Strathnaver. The Mackays were a powerful, independent clan who often defied both the Scottish Crown and their powerful neighbors, the Earls of Sutherland.
• The Structure: Originally a massive square tower house protected by a deep ditch and a curtain wall. It was designed to be virtually impregnable from the land.

2. The Great Siege of 1554

• The Conflict: The Mackays had been raiding the lands of the Earl of Sutherland. Fed up, the Earl (with the blessing of the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise) marched north with a massive force.
• The Destruction: The Mackays refused to surrender, believing the castle walls could withstand anything. However, the Earl brought something new to the Highlands: heavy artillery. After a brutal siege, the walls were breached, the castle was captured, and the Mackay captain was hanged over his own battlements.

3. The Ruins

• The castle was intentionally "slighted" (destroyed) after the siege to ensure the Mackays could never use it as a rebel base again. It has remained a haunting ruin ever since.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Borve Castle is a monument to a turning point in Scottish warfare and the "taming" of the North.

• The End of the Medieval Tower: The fall of Borve in 1554 is historically significant because it proved that traditional stone castles were no longer a match for modern gunpowder and cannons. It signaled the end of the era where a small clan could defy the central government from behind stone walls.
• The "Clannish" Power Struggle: The rivalry between the Mackays and the Sutherlands at Borve was a microcosm of Scottish politics. The Crown often used these local feuds to maintain control, granting "Commissions of Fire and Sword" to one clan to wipe out another that had become too powerful.
• A Symbol of the Far North: In English and Southern Scottish records of the time, Borve was seen as being on the very edge of the civilized world. Its fall helped centralize the power of the Scottish state in a region that had been semi-autonomous for centuries.

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🌊 Johnny’s Travel Tip:

The view from the castle ruins over Torrisdale Bay is one of the best in Scotland. If you're lucky, you can spot golden eagles soaring over the cliffs. After your hike, head into Bettyhill to the Strathnaver Museum—it’s located in an old church and gives a heartbreaking but essential look at the Highland Clearances that affected this very area.

Do you enjoy these remote, "untouched" ruins, or do you prefer the big-name castles with visitor centers? Let’s see your North Coast photos in the comments! 🚐💨👇

#CastlesOfScotland #BorveCastle #Sutherland #Bettyhill #NC500 #ScottishHistory #ClanMackay #MotorhomeTouringScotland

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borve_Castle,_Sutherland

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing

Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

 

Skelbo Castle

🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Messenger of Fate — Skelbo Castle

If you’re heading north on the A9 toward Brora or Wick, most people drive right past the Mound at Loch Fleet without realizing they are passing the site of a political earthquake. Skelbo Castle sits quietly on the southern shore of the loch, holding the secrets of a "Queen who never was."

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📍 Location

• Where is it? Situated on the south shore of Loch Fleet, about 4 miles north of Dornoch in Sutherland.
• Setting: It occupies a high, grassy bank with panoramic views over the tidal basin of the loch.
• Coordinates: 57.925N, 4.020W ///sandpaper.rips.purist
• Van Access: There is a small parking area nearby. It’s an easy detour for those doing the NC500 or touring the east coast. The walk to the ruins is short but can be a bit muddy after a Highland rain!

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Skelbo has transitioned from a Norse stronghold to a medieval powerhouse.

1. The De Moravia Era (12th - 14th Century)

• The Founders: The land was granted to Hugh Freskin (ancestor of the Murrays and Sutherlands) in the 1100s.
• The Bishop’s Brother: The stone castle was largely developed by Richard de Moravia, the brother of Gilbert de Moravia (the saintly Bishop of Caithness who built Dornoch Cathedral).

2. The Sutherland Stronghold (16th - 18th Century)

• The Transition: In the 1500s, the castle passed to the Sutherlands of Duffus (a branch of the powerful Clan Sutherland).
• The Expansion: They added a more modern, comfortable 16th-century house inside the old medieval curtain walls.
• The Fall: By the late 1700s, the castle was abandoned in favor of more modern residences. Much of its stone was later "recycled" to build local farm buildings, leaving the skeletal ruin we see today.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Skelbo Castle is the backdrop for one of the most pivotal "What If?" moments in Scottish and English history.

• The Death of the Maid of Norway (1290): This is Skelbo’s greatest claim to fame. In 1290, the 7-year-old Margaret, Maid of Norway, was the heir to the Scottish throne. A marriage had been arranged between her and the son of Edward I of England to unite the kingdoms peacefully.
• The News that Broke a Nation: English ambassadors were actually waiting at Skelbo Castle to receive the child queen when the devastating news arrived: Margaret had died in Orkney after falling ill at sea.
• The Political Fallout: Without an heir, the "Great Cause" began. This led directly to Edward I (the "Hammer of the Scots") attempting to take over Scotland, sparking the Wars of Scottish Independence and the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. If that little girl had reached Skelbo safely, the history of the UK would look completely different today.

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🦭 Johnny’s Travel Tip:

Don’t just look at the stones! Loch Fleet is a National Nature Reserve. If you park near the castle at low tide, you can often see dozens of harbor seals sunning themselves on the sandbanks. It’s one of the best (and easiest) wildlife spotting locations on the east coast for motorhomers.

Do you prefer these "hidden" ruins where you can have the place to yourself, or the big restored castles? Let me know in the comments! 🚐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👇

#CastlesOfScotland #SkelboCastle #LochFleet #Sutherland #ScottishHistory #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr #NC500

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skelbo_Castle

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing

 Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

Carbisdale Castle

Carbisdale Castle is the absolute soap opera of Scottish architecture. It’s got family feuds, royal refugees, and a clock tower built specifically to annoy the neighbours. It’s a massive hit for motorhomers heading north toward Sutherland.

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🏰 Castles of Scotland: The "Castle of Spite" — Carbisdale

If you’re heading north toward the Kyle of Sutherland, you’ll see a massive, fairy-tale silhouette looming over the trees near Culrain. This is Carbisdale Castle. While it looks medieval, it was actually built in the early 20th century, and every stone was laid with one specific goal in mind: Spite.

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📍 Location

• Where is it? It sits on a high ridge overlooking the Kyle of Sutherland, near the village of Culrain in Sutherland.
• Setting: It commands an incredible view of the river and the mountains of the north.
• Coordinates: 57.925° N, 4.411° W.  ///parsnips.thinking.youth
• Van Access: The roads around Culrain are narrow. Most motorhomers view it from across the water at Bonar Bridge or Ardgay. If you do drive up to it, be mindful that it is currently a private estate undergoing major restoration, so parking at the gates is limited!

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📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Carbisdale wasn't built for defense; it was built for a Duchess who wanted the last word.

1. The Duchess "Blair" (1907–1917)

• The Inhabitant: Mary Caroline, the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland.
• The Feud: After the 3rd Duke of Sutherland died, he left the Duchess a massive inheritance. His son (the 4th Duke) contested the will and threw her in Holloway Prison for six weeks for destroying documents.
• The Agreement: To settle the lawsuit, the Sutherland family agreed to build her a castle, provided it was outside the Sutherland estate. She chose a spot right on the very edge of their border, looking directly back at their land.

2. The Clock of Spite

• The Design: The Duchess insisted on a massive clock tower. It only has three faces. The side facing the Sutherland estate is blank because, as she put it, she "didn't want to give them the time of day."

3. The Royal Refuge (WWII)

• The King of Norway: During the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1940, King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olav were given refuge at Carbisdale. It was here that the "Carbisdale Conference" took place, where it was agreed that if the Soviet Union liberated Norway, they would leave once the war was over.

4. The SYHA Era (1945–2011)

• For decades, it was one of the most famous and largest Youth Hostels in the world. Thousands of hikers and travelers stayed in its grand halls before it closed due to structural issues. It is now back in private hands being restored to its former glory.

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👑 Significance in History and Politics

Carbisdale is a monument to the shifting power of the British aristocracy and international diplomacy.

• Aristocratic Law: The legal battle between "Duchess Blair" and the 4th Duke of Sutherland set significant precedents in Scottish and English law regarding inheritance and the rights of widows.
• A Symbol of Resistance: By hosting the Norwegian Royal Family, Carbisdale became a tiny piece of "Free Norway" during the darkest days of the Second World War. It solidified the deep, long-standing political and cultural bond between Scotland and Scandinavia.
• The End of the "Gilded Age": Built just before WWI, it was one of the last great "Statement Houses" built in the UK. It represents a period where the ultra-wealthy used architecture to settle personal scores before the World Wars and inheritance taxes changed the landscape forever.

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🚐 Johnny’s Travel Tip:

The best photo of Carbisdale isn't from the castle itself! Pull your van over on the A836 near Ardgay or Bonar Bridge. Looking across the water at the castle reflected in the Kyle of Sutherland is a world-class shot for your Instagram or YouTube thumbnails.

Did you ever stay here when it was a Youth Hostel? I know a lot of people have great memories (and maybe a few ghost stories!) from those days. Share them in the comments! 👇📸

#CastlesOfScotland #CarbisdaleCastle #Sutherland #TheCastleOfSpite #ScottishHistory #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr #ExploreHighlands

 

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://carbisdalecastle.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing

Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

Ballone Castle

🏰 Castles of Scotland: The Z-Plan Masterpiece 

Ballone Castle

If you’re taking the van up toward the "top right" of the Highlands, past Tain and toward the fishing village of Portmahomack, you’ll find one of the most stunning architectural recoveries in the country. Ballone Castle stands tall once again, a perfect example of a Z-plan tower house that was nearly lost to time.

📍 Location

Where is it? Located on the Tarbat Peninsula in Easter Ross, about 10 miles northeast of Tain.

Setting: It sits on a low cliff overlooking the Moray Firth. The views across the water toward the hills of Sutherland are simply hypnotic.

Coordinates: 57.828N, 3.824W ///sweetener.hands.station

Van Access: The roads on the Tarbat Peninsula are generally good, but the castle itself is a private residence. You can see it beautifully from the coastal paths. I recommend parking in Portmahomack and taking the coastal walk—it’s brilliant for blowing the cobwebs away!

 

📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Ballone’s history is a story of three distinct "lives": building, abandonment, and rebirth.

1. The Dunbar Builders (Late 16th Century)

The Founders: Built around 1590 by the Dunbars of Tarbat.

The Design: It was built in a Z-plan layout—a central rectangular block with towers on diagonally opposite corners. This allowed the defenders to fire along the walls in every direction, leaving no "blind spots" for attackers.

 

2. The Mackenzie Powerhouse (17th Century)

New Owners: Around 1623, the castle was acquired by the Mackenzies of Tarbat.

The High Point: It became the seat of Sir George Mackenzie, who later became the Earl of Cromartie. He was one of the most powerful and controversial political figures in 17th-century Scotland (more on him below!).

The Decline: By the early 1700s, the Mackenzies moved to the more modern Tarbat House, and Ballone was left to the wind and rain.

 

3. The Great Resurrection (1990s - Present)

From Ruin to Roof: For over 200 years, it was a roofless, crumbling shell. In the 1990s, it was purchased by the Burke family, who undertook a massive, award-winning restoration. Today, it is once again a habitable, magnificent family home.

 

👑 Significance in History and Politics

Ballone wasn't just a home; it was a fortress of political influence during some of Scotland's most turbulent years.

Sir George Mackenzie’s Influence: As the Earl of Cromartie, Mackenzie was a key player in the Union of the Parliaments (1707). He was a master of "playing both sides" in the struggle between the Scottish Covenanters and the Royalists. His presence at Ballone made it a hub for Northern political strategy.

The Jacobite Connection: The Mackenzies of Cromartie were eventually caught up in the Jacobite Risings. While the castle was already in decline by 1745, the family’s support for the "Young Pretender" led to the forfeiture of their titles and lands, marking the end of the old Highland power structures that Ballone represented.

Architecture as a Weapon: The Z-plan design of Ballone is a physical reminder of how dangerous the Scottish North was in the 1590s. It represents a period where the line between a "gentleman’s house" and a "military bunker" was almost non-existent.

⚓ Johnny’s Travel Tip:

While you're at the castle, keep an eye on the water! This stretch of the Moray Firth is famous for its bottlenose dolphins. Also, don’t miss the Tarbat Discovery Centre in Portmahomack—it’s built inside an old church and has some of the best Pictish carvings in Scotland.

What do you think of these "restored" castles? Do you prefer seeing them in their ruined, romantic state, or do you love seeing them brought back to life like Ballone? Let me know in the comments! 👇🚐💨

#CastlesOfScotland #BalloneCastle #EasterRoss #Portmahomack #ScottishHistory #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr #ZPlanCastle

 

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Stuart

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 https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr