Thurso Castle

Thurso Castle stands in Thurso East, east of the River Thurso in Caithness, Highland. The present ruins date from 1872, though earlier fortresses occupied the site from the 12th century. Part of the castle remains habitable and is still home to the Viscounts Thurso. The riverside location offers views across the water to the town. A smaller predecessor known as the Arch was built in 1665 by George Sinclair, the 6th Earl of Caithness. The castle’s history includes fires, restorations, and enlargements across several centuries. The castle’s architecture reflects its changing roles and owners. The Arch was once praised as the most ornamental building in the north. The 1872 structure shows Victorian Gothic influences, with sections later demolished in 1952 after wartime damage. A gatehouse and lodge on the south side remain in fair condition. The north tower and wing near the river show partial survival. The well on site is about six metres deep. The grounds lie half a mile east of Thurso, close to the Pentland Firth. Nearby stands Harald’s Tower, built in 1780 as a Sinclair burial place. Stones from the castle were reused in an 1818 manse on the site. The castle’s cliff-top position overlooks the river and distant firth. Visitors find remnants of walls, towers, and the gatehouse amid grassy slopes. The ruined structure and its surroundings offer a quiet reminder of Caithness’s past.