Castles · Scottish Islands
Braal Castle
In or near Halkirk.
Braal Castle — 14th-century castle in Caithness, Highland, Scotland, UK, now ruined.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Georgemas Junction · 2.0 km
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Braal Castle, the nearest railway station is Georgemas Junction, which is 2 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is KW12 6XD. Entry has limited wheelchair accessibility.
About
Braal Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "14th-century castle in Caithness, Highland, Scotland, UK, now ruined". Coordinates: 58.5213°, -3.4834°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Braal Castle is located by the River Thurso north of the village of Halkirk, in Caithness, northern Scotland. The ruined castle, which dates back to the mid-14th century, was originally known as the Castle of Brathwell.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Braal Castle is located by the River Thurso north of the village of Halkirk, in Caithness, northern Scotland. The ruined castle, which dates back to the mid-14th century, was originally known as the Castle of Brathwell.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The site may have been occupied by Harold II of Orkney, Mormaer of Caithness (d. 1206), although the present building is of the fourteenth century. The "Castle of Brathwell" was granted by King Robert II of Scotland to his son, David Stewart, Earl of Caithness. His descendant, Walter Stewart, forfeited his estates in 1437 when he was executed for his role in the murder of King James I. In 1450, the castle was bestowed by James II upon Sir George Crichton, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, who was briefly created Earl of Caithness in 1452. In 1455, the earldom and castle were granted by James II to William Sinclair, Baron of Roslin and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. The castle passed to the…
Description
The Sinclairs began the building of an adjacent mansion, although construction was abandoned. In 1856 a hotel was built over these foundations.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 58.5213, -3.4834
- District
- Highland
- Postcode
- KW12 6XD
- Parliamentary constituency
- Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
- Nearest railway station
- Georgemas Junction — 2 km
- Official site
- www.thebrochproject.co.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q4185814 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Braal Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Braal Castle.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Old Parish Church, Halkirk
Cemeteries · 0.5 km
Abbey Church
Abbeys & priories · 0.5 km
Halkirk United F.C.
Other places · 0.7 km
John Sinclair Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.0 km
Halkirk War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.0 km
Church of Scotland, Bridge Street, Halkirk
Historic churches · 1.1 km
Hoy railway station
Heritage railway stations · 1.1 km
Halkirk
Towns & cities · 1.3 km
Roadside
Other places · 1.5 km
Skinnet, Broch
Archaeological sites · 1.6 km
Halkirk railway station
Heritage railway stations · 1.8 km
Housle Cairn, possible broch
Burial mounds & barrows · 1.9 km
Nearby
📷 4Cemeteries · Scottish Islands
Old Parish Church, Halkirk
Old Parish Church, Halkirk in Orkney + Shetland, United Kingdom.
📷 3Abbeys & priories · Scottish Islands
Abbey Church
Abbey Church — a abbey in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Other places · Scottish Islands
Halkirk United F.C.
Halkirk United F.C. in Orkney + Shetland, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Scottish Islands
John Sinclair Memorial
John Sinclair Memorial — a memorial in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Scottish Islands
Halkirk War Memorial
Halkirk War Memorial — a memorial in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Islands
Church of Scotland, Bridge Street, Halkirk
Church of Scotland, Bridge Street, Halkirk — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Braal Castle
Places to stay
📷 5
📷 4Campsites · Scottish Highlands
Caithness Camping Pods
Caithness Camping Pods — a campsite in scotland highlands.
📷 7Hotels · Scottish Islands
Muthu Royal Hotel
Muthu Royal Hotel — a hotel in scotland islands.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Islands
Murkle Caravan Park
Murkle Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland islands.
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Islands
Thurso Caravan Park
Thurso Caravan Park — a campsite in scotland islands.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
The Alexander Bain
The Alexander Bain in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
More castles in this region
📷 3
📷 5Castles · Scottish Islands
Borve Castle
Borve Castle — castle ruins in Benbecula, Scotland.
📷 3Castles · Scottish Islands
Cairnburgh Castle
Cairnburgh Castle — ruined castle that is located on the islands of Cairn na Burgh Mòr and Cairn na Burgh Beag, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Frequently asked questions
- Where is Braal Castle?
- Braal Castle is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW12 6XD).
- What is Braal Castle?
- Braal Castle — 14th-century castle in Caithness, Highland, Scotland, UK, now ruined.
- How do I get to Braal Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Georgemas Junction, about 2.0 km away. Drivers can use postcode KW12 6XD.
- Is Braal Castle a listed building?
- Braal Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Braal Castle charge admission?
- Braal Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Braal Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Georgemas Junction, about 2.0 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode KW12 6XD.