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Natural Monuments

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Natural Monuments

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Highlight • Natural Monument

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Name: Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
Rating: 2

Recommended by 58 hikers

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Location: Sinclairs Bay, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

4.5

(2)

hikers

1. Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

7.02km

01:49

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.8

(8)

hikers

2. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – Castle Sinclair Ruins loop from Staxigoe

1.54km

00:24

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.8

(6)

hikers

3. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – Castle Sinclair Ruins loop from Staxigoe

2.64km

00:41

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Willem VS

January 17, 2024

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a complex of ruined stone structures built and modified over a 200-year period by the Sinclair earls of Caithness, historically one of northern Scotland’s most powerful families. It is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland, on a rocky promontory jutting out into the North Sea. It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe, and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair, which was built as an extension of the earlier castle and connected by a drawbridge over a ravine. The castle was the seat of Clan Sinclair and witnessed several conflicts and intrigues, such as the imprisonment and death of John Sinclair, Master of Caithness, by his own father in 1582, and the siege and capture of the castle by George Sinclair of Keiss in 1680. The castle was abandoned after the siege and fell into decay. It is now owned by the Clan Sinclair Trust and undergoing restoration and archaeological research3. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a historic and scenic landmark that showcases the engineering and natural beauty of Scotland.

haertera

June 12, 2024

From the paid parking lot, you can reach the ruins via an easy path. Access to the ruins is generally free, and there is a donation box at the entrance. After exploring, you should also pay a visit to the lighthouse.

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Manny & Daisy

September 9, 2025

What a great little castle. Amazing to see it still standing after so many years. Very cool little place to visit and explore the ruins - never quite seen anything like it.

Details

Informations

Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 18 January

7°C

4°C

12 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Sinclairs Bay, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

The Trinkie Sea Water Pool

Old Wick Castle

Ackergill Harbour

Keiss Castle Ruins

John O'Groats Signpost

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe Ruins and Cliffs

St. John’s Head Statue

View of Old Wick Castle Cliffs

View of Duncansby Stacks

Wick Harbour Obelisk

Staxigoe Harbour

Old Pulteney Distillery & Visitor Centre

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

1. Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

2. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – Castle Sinclair Ruins loop from Staxigoe

3. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – Castle Sinclair Ruins loop from Staxigoe

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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