Scrabster Castle, Medieval castle ruins near Thurso, Scotland
Scrabster Castle is a ruined fortress near Thurso, Scotland, consisting of fragmentary walls and foundations positioned on a low rocky outcrop by the sea. The remains include portions of a courtyard, domestic buildings, and structural elements like exposed paving stones that outline the original layout.
Built in the 1100s as a residence for the Bishop of Caithness, the fortress came under the control of the Sinclair family during the medieval period. The site was gradually abandoned as a dwelling after the 1500s and has remained uninhabited since.
The site reflects centuries of occupation and use by successive inhabitants who left their mark on the landscape. Walking around reveals how daily life unfolded in this clifftop location over generations.
The site is open to explore and provides views across Thurso Bay and the surrounding coastline. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and rocky surfaces, so appropriate footwear is advisable.
A triangular-headed window with dog-tooth decorative carving from the original structure survives within a nearby outbuilding at Scrabster House. This architectural detail is one of the few ornamental elements remaining from the medieval construction.
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