Ackergill Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ackergill Tower |
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| Wick, Caithness, Scotland GB |
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Ackergill Tower
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 Ackergill Tower
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| Coordinates | 58°28′29″N 3°06′46″W / 58.47480°N 3.11273°W |
| Type | Tower house with some extensions |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private, Dr Betsee Parker |
| Condition | Intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | Late 15th or early 16th century |
| Built by | Clan Keith |
| In use | 15th century to present |
| Materials | Stone |
Ackergill Tower (also known as Ackergill Castle) is a historic building in northern Scotland. It stands on the coast of Sinclair's Bay, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of Wick in Caithness. This impressive tower was built in the early 1500s. It's a tall, five-story building called a "tower house." Later, in the 1700s, a four-story wing was added to the back.
Ackergill Tower is a "category A listed building." This means it's a very important historic building that is protected. For a few years, Ackergill Tower was used for events and weddings. In 2019, it was bought by Dr. Betsee Parker, a generous person from the United States.
Contents
History of Ackergill Tower
Early Beginnings
The Clan Keith family got the land of Ackergill in 1354. They received it from the Cheynes family. John Keith of Inverugie was the leader of the Clan Keith at that time.
Ackergill Tower might have been built by John Keith's son. The tower was first written about in 1538.
There's a famous story about a young woman named Helen Gunn. She was taken by John Keith because she was very beautiful. The story says she jumped or fell from the highest tower. She did this to escape from him. People say her ghost can still be seen there today.
The Keiths and Sinclairs
In 1547, another powerful family, the Clan Sinclair, attacked the castle. They were from Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. They took control of Ackergill Tower.
Mary of Guise was the Regent of Scotland at that time. She was like a temporary ruler. She forgave the Sinclairs for taking the castle. She then gave Ackergill Tower back to the Keiths. Later, in 1549, she put Laurence Oliphant, 4th Lord Oliphant, in charge of the tower.
The Sinclairs captured the castle again in 1556. They were forgiven once more for this. John Keith, who was in charge of Ackergill, was present when Mary of Guise died in Edinburgh in 1560.
In 1593, Robert Keith took Ackergill by force. He was the brother of George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal. George Keith was the rightful owner of the tower. Robert was declared a rebel for this. The castle was then returned to the Earl.
In September 1597, John Keith of Subster attacked the tower at night. He used ladders to climb the walls. He surprised the people inside and captured the place.
Changing Owners
In 1612, the Sinclairs got Ackergill Tower again. This time, they bought it legally. The Earl of Caithness bought it from the Earl Marischal.
However, in 1623, the tower was attacked once more. Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet surrounded it. He was fighting with George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness. The Sinclairs gave up the castle before any big fight happened.
In 1651, Oliver Cromwell might have used Ackergill Tower. He may have kept his soldiers there. This was during his attack on the Keith's Dunnottar Castle. He was trying to find the Honours of Scotland, which are Scotland's crown jewels.
In 1676, John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland took over Ackergill Tower. He did this because the Sinclairs owed him money.
Later Years and Renovations
John Campbell put Ackergill Tower up for sale in 1699. It was bought by Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs. The Dunbar family started big renovations on the tower. They added an extension to the building.
In the mid-1800s, more additions were made. The architect David Bryce helped with these changes. This was for George Sutherland Dunbar, 7th Lord Duffus. In 1963, Maureen Blake became the owner. She was in charge of Ackergill Tower until it was sold in 1986.
The castle was then restored for two years. After that, it opened as a fancy hotel and business place. In 2009, the tower was sold again. The new owners, AmaZing Venues, spent £2 million to improve it. In 2012, it earned a five-star rating.
The tower was sold one more time in 2018. It went back to being privately owned.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Ackergill para niños
