Dunbeath Castle facts for kids
Dunbeath Castle is a historic building found on the east coast of Caithness, about 2 kilometers south of the village of Dunbeath in northern Scotland. Even though a castle has been on this spot since the 1400s, the building you see today was mostly built in the 1600s. It also had some updates in the 1800s. The castle is considered a very important historical building, and its gardens are also specially recognized.
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History of Dunbeath Castle
Early Days and Owners
The first time a castle was mentioned at Dunbeath was in 1428. Back then, the land belonged to the Earl of Caithness. The first known owner was Alexander Sutherland. Later, the castle became the property of the Clan Sinclair (the Sinclair family). This happened when Alexander Sutherland's daughter married William Sinclair, who was the first Sinclair Earl of Caithness. In 1620, the Sinclairs built a new, taller tower house with four floors.
A Castle Under Attack
In March 1650, Dunbeath Castle faced an attack during a big war in Scotland called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Sir John Sinclair, who owned the castle, rode to Edinburgh to warn about the arrival of Montrose's army. He left his wife, Catherine Fraser, to defend Dunbeath against Sir John Hurry. She soon gave up, and Montrose's soldiers took over the castle. However, Montrose's army was defeated in April at the Battle of Carbisdale. After that, David Leslie's forces took the castle back.
Changes Over Time
The castle was changed a lot in the 1600s by Sir William Sinclair. It was updated again in 1853 and 1881 by an architect named David Bryce. From 1894 to 1945, Vice-Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair owned the castle. In 1945, after being owned by the Sinclair family for 325 years, the castle was sold to Bertram Currie. It was sold again in 1967 to Harry Blythe and Helen Blythe. In 1976, it was sold to Ray Stanton Avery. Finally, in 1997, the castle was sold to its current owner, Stuart Wyndham Murray-Threipland. Dunbeath Castle is still a private home today, so you cannot visit it.
Exploring the Castle
The oldest part of Dunbeath Castle is at its southwest corner. This section mostly dates back to the 1600s. Newer parts have been added to the north and east. These additions were built in a "Scots Baronial" style, which means they look like traditional Scottish castles, matching the older parts. The inside of the castle has been changed many times over the years. To make the castle stronger, a dry ditch was dug on the land side. This ditch cuts across the narrow piece of land where the castle stands, making it harder for enemies to reach.
