Description:

George, the 4th Earl of Caithness, built the castle for his second son, William Sinclair. In 1573, while visiting the family seat at Girnigoe Castle, William was murdered by his older brother John, who had been imprisoned there for about six years by their harsh father. John had been plotting an escape, but when William discovered the plan and told their father, John retaliated. After John’s own murder, the castle passed to the third son, George Sinclair, who founded the Sinclairs of Mey. His descendant inherited the Earldom in 1789 and renamed the castle Barrogill Castle. It remained the seat of the Earls of Caithness for the next century. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother first saw the castle while mourning the death of King George VI. Captivated by its remote charm and learning it was to be abandoned, she chose to save it, leaving a lasting tribute to her dedication to the local community.