Berriedale Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berriedale Castle |
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| Berriedale, Caithness, Scotland | |
Distant photo of promontory where Berriedale Castle once stood.
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| Coordinates | 58°10′55″N 3°29′46″W / 58.1820°N 3.4962°W |
Berriedale Castle is a very old ruined castle in Scotland. It sits on a high piece of land called a promontory. This land sticks out into the sea, right at the mouth of the Berriedale Water river in Caithness.
Contents
What Was Berriedale Castle?
Berriedale Castle was once a strong fortress. Today, only its ruins remain. It was built in a very smart location. This spot helped protect it from enemies. Castles like this were important for controlling land and trade routes long ago.
Where Was Berriedale Castle Built?
The castle was built on a promontory. This is a high, rocky cliff that juts out into the sea. It was surrounded by steep sea cliffs. This made it very hard for attackers to reach from the water. On the land side, a large ditch was dug. This ditch added another layer of defense. It made it even harder for enemies to get close to the castle. Imagine trying to attack a castle with cliffs on three sides and a huge ditch on the fourth!
Who Owned Berriedale Castle?
Berriedale Castle has a long history of different owners. In the early 1300s, a powerful person named Reginald le Chen owned it. His daughter, Mary, later married Nicholas Sutherland. This is how the castle passed to the Sutherland family. When a daughter married, her family's property sometimes went to her husband's family.
Key Events at Berriedale Castle
The castle stayed with the Sutherland family for some time. Later, in the 1400s, it changed hands again. Christian, who was the daughter of Alexander Sutherland, married William Oliphant. This meant the castle then belonged to the Oliphant family.
In 1526, Andrew Oliphant sold the castle. He sold it to his uncle, Laurence, Lord Oliphant. But the story doesn't end there! In 1566, the Sutherlands of Duffus attacked Berriedale Castle. They managed to capture it! However, they soon gave the castle back to the Oliphant family.
Finally, in 1606, the castle was sold one last time. It was bought by the Earl of Caithness. After this, the castle likely fell into disrepair. Over time, it became the ruin we see today.
