Braal Castle
| Braal Castle | |
|
Caithness | |
|---|---|
 Ruins of Braal Castle | |
| Type: | Tower house |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ND137602 |
| Location: | 58°31’17"N, 3°29’0"W |
| Village: | Halkirk |
| History | |
| Built Mid 14th century | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruined |
| Owned by: | Private |
Braal Castle is a ruined tower house beside the River Thurso north of the village of Halkirk, in Caithness. It dates back to the mid-14th century, was originally known as the Castle of Brathwell.
History
The site may have been occupied by Harold II of Orkney, Earl of Caithness (d. 1206), although the present building is of the fourteenth century.[1]
The "Castle of Brathwell" was granted by King Robert II of Scotland to his son, David Stewart, Earl of Caithness. His descendant, Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, forfeited his estates in 1437 when he was executed for his role in the murder of King James I.
In 1450, the castle was bestowed by King James II upon Sir George Crichton, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, who was briefly created Earl of Caithness in 1452. In 1455, the earldom and castle were granted by James II to William Sinclair, Baron of Roslin and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. The castle passed to the Sinclairs of Ulbster, a branch of the Sinclair Earls of Caithness, in the 18th century.[2] Building of an adjacent mansion was begun, although construction was abandoned. In 1856 a hotel was built over these foundations.[1]
The building was requisitioned by the Armed Forces during the Second World War, and was converted into flats in the 1970s.
The castle
The castle is located on a defensive site, above the River Thurso. It comprises a tower house, around 39 feet by 36 feet, with walls 5 feet to 10 feet thick. The entrance is at first-floor level, leading into a large hall. A stair in the wall led up to an upper floor and a parapet walk, although the upper parts of the castle have not survived.[1]
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David MacGibbon and Thomas Ross (1887). "The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, Volume 3". http://ia311509.us.archive.org/2/items/castellateddomes03macguoft/castellateddomes03macguoft_djvu.txt. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ↑ "Braal Castle". Gazetteer for Scotland. http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst5101.html. Retrieved 2008-03-19.