Location: Sutherland Map
Keiss Castle is a medieval castle situated in Sutherland region of Scotland in United Kingdom. Keiss fortress was build in the late 16th century or early 17th century by George Sinclair, fifth Earl of Caithness (1582- 1643) on a site of the older citadel. The strange feature of the castle is the fact that is defended by the wall only on side of the sea suggesting that it was build to prevent oversea intrusion of Scotland. Unfortunately erosion takes a toll of the Keiss castle and the cliff where it was build. The original gateway fell as part of the cliff collapsed. The castle was abandoned in the 1700’s.
The old castle, now a Scheduled Monument, was built by George,
5th Earl of Caithness (1582-1643) possibly in the late 16th or
early 17th century on the site of an older fort. It appears that
the castle was already in existence when King James I
commissioned Sir Robert Gordon to bring armed forces to
Caithness. The 7th Earl died at the castle in 1698 but it is
recorded that the castle was in ruins as early as 1700 and was
repaired in 1726 'with a pleasant house recently built at its
side'.
The estate was bought by Sir William Sinclair, 2nd
Baronet of Dunbeath in the early 18th century and in 1752 Keiss
Castle became his family home. The present house was built circa
1755 and had to be sold by Ulbster in 1765 due to financial
difficulties experienced by the Sinclairs. It is a country house
that was remodeled and enlarged in the Scottish Baronial style
by the architect David Bryce, commissioned by Colonel K.
Macleay. In 1866 it was sold to the Duke of Portland. Historic
Scotland has listed the country house as a category B historic
building. This includes the walled garden to the north east of
the house, the gate lodge and the gate pillars with their cast
iron gates, which were added in the 1860's.
Nearby is the
Broch of Keiss.