Berriedale Castle

Berriedale Castle consists of a strongly defended cliff-top promontory overlooking the mouth of the Berriedale Water. A massive rock-cut ditch separates the castle platform from the main shoreline, and makes access to the platform dangerous.

The castle was originally accessed via a bridge which led through a gate tower, up some steps and then to the walled courtyard which was the main part of the castle. The courtyard was long and narrow, its shape defined by that of the promontory, and had two ranges of buildings along the long sides. In addition there seems to have been a tower-keep of sorts.

Berriedale was probably built by the de Moravia family in the 13th century, possibly strengthening an existing fort, but first appears on record in the 1330s as a property of the earl of Caithness. It was later granted to the Cheyne family and passed through them to the Sutherlands of Duffus, and Oliphants, who defended the castle against the aggression of the Sinclair earls of Caithness. In the end the Oliphants gave up on Berriedale and sold it to George Sinclair. The castle remained occupied by the Sinclairs to the 17th century, when it was probably abandoned.

HES Canmore database entry