Dounreay Castle Ruins, Highland, United Kingdom

Dounreay Castle dates from the late 16th century, and is one of the few remaining examples of a Scottish Laird’s castle from that period. William Sinclair of Dunbeath, descended from a younger brother of John Sinclair, third Earl of Caithness, built the castle in the 1560s. It was damaged in 1651 by Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army during their Scottish campaign. Now entirely ruined, the castle was still inhabited in 1863, but had become roofless and derelict by 1889.

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User Reviews

David Link (3 years ago)
It's not great. No wait. It's worse! Couldn't find any interpretation board to give context, so it just looks a ruin that someone decided to build on and that became a ruin too. However. Great location. If you're in the vicinity check it out. You know I'm right...

Stavros Vager (3 years ago)
Waste of time. No access and the "castle" is just a run down old house. Don't waste your time.

Lorraine Mackay (3 years ago)
Easy to find once you know where going. Very run down but still very interesting.

Mark Paddock (4 years ago)
Superb views and surf! Parking is a bit of a problem, just don't block the hard working farmers and they don't mind too much.

mike ross (4 years ago)
Nice walk for dogs along rocks and watching surfers

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Dounreay Castle Ruins

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