The ruins of the Castle of Old Wick are dramatically located on top of
steep cliffs overlooking the sea. The simple four-storey tower is thought
to have been built in the late 12th or early 13th century when Caithness
was ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney. This would make it one of the
oldest stone keeps in Scotland. The remains of further ranges can be found
along the promontory.
The castle has had many owners including the Cheynes and the Sutherland Lord Duffus in
the 14th century, and the Oliphants in the 15th century. It was besieged and captured by
John Sinclair, Master of Caithness, in 1569 and later bought by the Sinclairs. It was sold
to the Campbells of Glenorchy in the 1670s and then to the Dunbars of Hemprigg who held it
until 1910.
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