18/09/2026
Keiss Castle was built in the late 16th century by George Sinclair, Fifth Earl of Caithness. It stands at the northern end of Sinclair Bay and was one of three fortifications that controlled this territory (the others were Ackergill Castle and Girnigoe Castle).
The first record of the castle dates from 1623 when George defied King James VI (I of England). In response, the King dispatched Sir Robert Gordon to raid Caithness and, although the rebellious Earl provisioned his castles for a siege, he withdrew to Orkney. All three castles surrendered without a fight to Sir Robert but were eventually returned to the Earlās son - George, Lord Berriedale.
In 1643 the castle passed to George Sinclair, Sixth Earl of Caithness. He built Thurso Castle which he used as his main residence with Keiss being allowed to decay. This was only exacerbated when the Sinclairs found themselves embroiled in a bitter dispute over land and title with the Campbells of Glenorchy. First the courts, then the King supported the latter, prompting Sinclair to mount a protracted guerrilla campaign against his rivals.
It was only intervention by James, Duke of York (later James VII and II) that the Sinclairs were restored. By this time, Keiss Castle itself was ruinous although some repairs were made over the following decades for some form of dwelling.
