Keiss Castle facts for kids
Keiss Castle is an old, partly ruined castle in Scotland. It stands high on cliffs overlooking Sinclair's Bay, near the village of Keiss in Caithness, Highland. This historic site is protected as an important monument. The original castle was later replaced by a new building called Keiss House around 1755.
The castle was built in a special shape called a Z-plan. This means it had a main building with two towers sticking out from opposite corners. It had four floors, plus an attic and a strong, arched basement. The main tower was quite narrow but very tall, with big chimneys.
History of Keiss Castle
The castle was likely built in the late 1500s or early 1600s. It was constructed by George Sinclair, who was the 5th Earl of Caithness. Some people think it might have been built on the spot where an even older fort once stood.
We know the castle was standing in 1623. Later, in 1698, the 7th Earl of Caithness passed away inside the castle. However, by 1700, reports said the castle was already falling apart. By 1726, it was being repaired, and a new, handy house was built next to it.
In the early 1700s, a man named Sir William Sinclair bought the castle and its land. By 1752, Keiss became the main home for his family.
Keiss House and Later Years
The current Keiss House was built around 1755. But the family had money problems and had to sell it in 1765. It was bought by another branch of the Sinclair family from nearby Ulbster.
The house was changed a lot in 1860 by an architect named David Bryce. He made it bigger and gave it a Scottish baronial style, which looks like an old castle. In 1866, the house was sold again, this time to the Duke of Portland.
The property also includes a walled garden and a gate lodge with fancy cast-iron gates. These were added during the changes in the 1860s.
