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Ness Castle

Island in Caithness

Scotland

Ness Castle

The A99 at Bruan The remains of the Bruan Broch can be seen as a grassy hump just left of centre.
The A99 at Bruan Credit: David Purchase

Ness Castle is a historic site located in the Caithness region of Scotland. It is situated on a small island in the River Ness, near the town of Thurso. The castle dates back to the 16th century and was originally built as a defensive structure to protect the area from potential invasions.

The castle is known for its strategic position, surrounded by water on all sides and accessed by a narrow causeway. It consists of a tower house with four stories and a courtyard enclosed by a stone wall. The architecture reflects the typical Scottish Baronial style, with thick walls, narrow windows, and a crenellated parapet.

Over the centuries, Ness Castle went through various owners and witnessed several historical events. It was once occupied by the powerful Sinclair family, who played a significant role in Caithness's history. The castle was later abandoned and fell into disrepair, but it was partially restored in the 19th century and is now a protected historic monument.

Today, Ness Castle is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors with its rich history and picturesque setting. The island is accessible to the public, allowing visitors to explore the castle's ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as the riverbanks attract a variety of bird species.

Overall, Ness Castle is a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into Scotland's past and provides visitors with a unique and memorable experience.

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Ness Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.330202/-3.1832442 or Grid Reference ND3038. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The A99 at Bruan The remains of the Bruan Broch can be seen as a grassy hump just left of centre.
The A99 at Bruan
The remains of the Bruan Broch can be seen as a grassy hump just left of centre.
Once the Wick and Lybster railway, now windfarm access Railway opened 1903, closed 1944.
Once the Wick and Lybster railway, now windfarm access
Railway opened 1903, closed 1944.
Bruan Lodge Farm On the A99.
Bruan Lodge Farm
On the A99.
Bruan Church Simple church in rubble and slate with a stone bellcote. For sale at the time.
Bruan Church
Simple church in rubble and slate with a stone bellcote. For sale at the time.
Bruan Church Simple church in rubble and slate with a stone bellcote. For sale at the time.
Bruan Church
Simple church in rubble and slate with a stone bellcote. For sale at the time.
Bruan old kirk 2006 Bruan old kirk seen at sunrise, 2006. Prior to roof being removed.
Bruan old kirk 2006
Bruan old kirk seen at sunrise, 2006. Prior to roof being removed.
A99 near Bridge of East Clyth
A99 near Bridge of East Clyth
Waterfall near Halberry Head.
Waterfall near Halberry Head.
Long Gote One of many fine geos along this stretch of the Caithness coast.
Long Gote
One of many fine geos along this stretch of the Caithness coast.
Old Railway Bridge This bridge and embankment are part of the remains of the old Wick and Lybster Light Railway.
Old Railway Bridge
This bridge and embankment are part of the remains of the old Wick and Lybster Light Railway.
The Haven Not so aptly named on this morning!
The Haven
Not so aptly named on this morning!
A99, East Clyth The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
A99, East Clyth
The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
A99 near Bulnacraig The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
A99 near Bulnacraig
The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
Farm near the A99, south of Bruan
Farm near the A99, south of Bruan
A99 near to Bruan The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
A99 near to Bruan
The A99 follows the east coast of Caithness from Latheron, where it leaves the A9, though the town of Wick to John o' Groats at the north-east corner of the Highlands. The road is a trunk road between Latheron and Wick. It was part of the A9 until 1997, when the A9 was re-routed along what had been the A895-A882 link between Latheron and Thurso. The A99 forms part of the North Coast 500 (NC500) which was launched in 2015. NC500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle,
Cliffs South of Whaligoe Only a small section of coast within this grid square.
Cliffs South of Whaligoe
Only a small section of coast within this grid square.
A Caithness Geo In this context geo isn't short for geograph. Rather it's the local word for inlet, this one is particularly dramatic.
A Caithness Geo
In this context geo isn't short for geograph. Rather it's the local word for inlet, this one is particularly dramatic.
Leacan Oir The flat, partly submerged rocks are called Leacan Oir which translates as Flagstones of Gold. Here, by tradition, a Danish princess perished when her ship was lured on to these rocks by false light. She was betrothed to a high ranking member of the Clan Gunn who only wanted the dowry. A pot of gold was found on the rocks and long after locals claimed they could see shiny metal on the seabed.
Leacan Oir
The flat, partly submerged rocks are called Leacan Oir which translates as Flagstones of Gold. Here, by tradition, a Danish princess perished when her ship was lured on to these rocks by false light. She was betrothed to a high ranking member of the Clan Gunn who only wanted the dowry. A pot of gold was found on the rocks and long after locals claimed they could see shiny metal on the seabed.
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Ness Castle is located at Grid Ref: ND3038 (Lat: 58.330202, Lng: -3.1832442)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///norms.items.hires. Near Wick, Highland

Nearby Locations

The Clett Fellan Skerry Muckle Red Craig Ness Castle The Haven The Haven

Related Wikis

Bruan
Bruan

Bruan (Scottish Gaelic:) is a small crofting hamlet on the east coast of Scotland in Lybster, Caithness, Highland and is in the Scottish council area of...

Mid Clyth railway station
Mid Clyth railway station

Mid Clyth was a railway station located between Wick and Lybster, Highland. == History == The station was opened as part of the Wick and Lybster Railway...

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Hill o' Many Stanes

The Hill O Many Stanes is a south-facing hillside (at grid reference ND295384) in Mid Clyth, about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Wick in Caithness, in...

Roster Road Halt railway station
Roster Road Halt railway station

Roster Road Halt was a railway station located between Wick and Lybster in Highland, Scotland. == History == The station was opened on the Wick and Lybster...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.330202,-3.1832442
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3299688/-3.1913429
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3304336/-3.1913063
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3310966/-3.191217
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3314825/-3.1912008
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.33196/-3.1906322
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3324461/-3.1900475
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3327915/-3.1896252
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.3331358/-3.1892069
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.3328084/-3.1821218
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Cnoc Ballan Caithness
Fellan Skerry Caithness

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