Scrabster Castle (site of)
24 minute walk from Thurso station · Highlands and Argyll
Scrabster Castle is a historic site located on an eroding promontory near Thurso Bay in Scotland. Built by the Bishops of Caithness, this castle of enclosure once featured a central keep and served as the Bishop's Palace.
It is a site of significant drama, having been besieged in 1201 when Bishop John was mutilated by Harald Maddadsson. Later seized by George Sinclair, the 4th Earl of Caithness, in 1544, it eventually became a royal castle before falling into ruin by the 18th century.
Visitors can explore the remains of the curtain wall and a drawbridge that once faced the land. Amidst the turf banks, you can spot the inner wall-face of a square building with a mural chamber, as well as a more modern pillbox situated within the ancient ruins.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Castle
- Good for
- Archaeology & ancient history, Castles, Coast & harbours, Military history
- Characteristics
- Coastal, Medieval, Ruin, Scheduled Monument
- Admission
- Free
- Region
- Highlands and Argyll
Stations within walking distance
- Thurso station — 24 min walk, 2.0 km
Other places near Thurso
- Thurso Bay and Castle, Thurso — 11 min walk from the station
- Thurso and Scrabster, Thurso — 11 min walk from the station
- North Coast Visitor Centre — 13 min walk from the station
- Wolfburn Distillery — 31 min walk from the station