🏰 Castles of Scotland

Castle Craig

The Bishop’s Bastion

Today for "Castles of Scotland," we’re heading to the Black Isle to look at a ruin that literally clings to the cliffs. Castle Craig (sometimes called Craig Castle) is a 16th-century tower house that proves even men of the cloth needed some serious protection back in the day!

📍 Location

Where is it? Situated on the north coast of the Black Isle, overlooking the Cromarty Firth in Ross-shire.
Setting: It’s built on a narrow ledge of a steep cliff. The views across the Firth toward the rigs at Invergordon and the mountains beyond are absolutely world-class.
Coordinates: 57.681° N, 4.175° W. ///recovery.divorcing.horns
Van Access: This is a "park and hike" special! The roads nearby are typical Black Isle—narrow and winding. There is a small area to pull over near Cullicudden, but be prepared for a muddy walk through the woods to reach the cliff edge.

📜 A Timeline of History and Inhabitants

Castle Craig wasn't built for a clan chief, but for the church.

1. The Bishop’s Residence (16th Century)

The Founders: It was built for the Bishops of Ross. In medieval Scotland, bishops were essentially "prince-prelates" who held as much political and military power as any Earl.
The Structure: It was a massive L-plan tower house. What remains today is the impressive North Wing, which still stands remarkably tall against the sea winds.

2. The Urquhart Connection (Post-Reformation)

The Transition: After the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the Catholic Church lost its lands. The castle was eventually "secularized" and passed into the hands of the Urquharts of Cromarty.
The Baron of Cromarty: Sir Thomas Urquhart, a famous eccentric, scholar, and translator of Rabelais, is the most famous figure associated with the family that held these lands.

3. Abandonment

By the 17th or 18th century, the castle became too impractical and "vertical" for modern living. The family moved to more comfortable estates, leaving the tower to the elements and the seabirds.

👑 Significance in History and Politics

Castle Craig tells the story of the "Church Militant" in Scotland.

Clerical Power vs. Secular Lords: Its existence shows how wealthy the Bishopric of Ross was. The Bishops needed a fortified palace because they were often at odds with local clans (like the Mackenzies) over land and tithes.
Control of the Firth: Strategically, the castle acted as a lookout over the Cromarty Firth, which has always been one of the most important deep-water anchorages in the UK (right up to today's oil and renewable industries).
The Reformation Shift: The castle is a physical monument to the Reformation. It represents the moment power shifted from the centralized Church to the "New Nobility" who grabbed church lands and helped shape the modern political landscape of Scotland and the UK.

Johnny’s Safety Warning:

The ruins are in a very precarious state and sit on the edge of a significant drop. Please be careful if you’re exploring with dogs or kids. The castle is currently fenced off because of falling masonry, but you can still get amazing photos from the surrounding paths!

Have you ever explored the Black Isle in your van? It’s often overlooked for the NC500, but sites like Castle Craig make it well worth the detour. Let’s see your "off the beaten track" photos in the comments! 🚐💨

#CastlesOfScotland #CastleCraig #BlackIsle #RossShire #ScottishHistory #HiddenScotland #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

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

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