About Carbisdale Castle
Carbisdale Castle is one of Scotland's most dramatically positioned buildings, a large Edwardian "castle" completed in 1917 commanding a hilltop above the Kyle of Sutherland and the Far North railway line. It was built by the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland — nicknamed the "Castle of Spite" because it was deliberately positioned so that she could look down on the Sutherland family seat of Dunrobin. The Battle of Carbisdale (1650), in which the Marquess of Montrose was finally defeated before being captured and executed, was fought on the slopes below. For decades the castle served as a remarkable SYHA youth hostel before closing in 2011 — it is now privately owned and the interior is not accessible, but the exterior remains impressive.
Highlights
Getting There
From Bonar Bridge, take the A836 north. The castle is visible on the hill above Culrain. A minor road leads up to the castle gate.