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.

📍 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.

📜 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.

👑 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.

🦭 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! 🚐💨👇

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For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

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

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