Aerial view
B 49574
Description Aerial view
Date 1991
Collection RCAHMS Aerial Photography
Catalogue Number B 49574
Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images
Copies SC 875519, SC 1693382
Scope and Content Forse Castle from the south-east, Caithness Forse Castle was built in the late 14th to early 15th centuries upon a rocky peninsula, 50m above sea level. The castle was the stronghold of the Sutherlands of Forse until the late 17th century, when the 10th Laird built a fine mansion house near Latheron. The last Laird of Forse, John William Sutherland, died in 1909. This shows a dramatic view of the coastline around the castle site. The steep cliffs around the castle make excellent natural defences, which were supplemented by a large stone keep and an enclosing barmkin wall. Within the wall would be other structures such as stables, stores, brewhouse, accommodation and chapel. A causeway now links the castle to the mainland, but the original castle was protected by a ditch, bridge and drawbridge to foil invaders. Entry to the keep was made more secure by placing the doorway one floor up on the seaward side of the structure. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/34679
Attribution: © Crown Copyright: HES
Licence Type: Full
You may: copy, display, store and make derivative works [eg documents] solely for licensed personal use at home or solely for licensed educational institution use by staff and students on a secure intranet.
Under these conditions: Display Attribution, No Commercial Use or Sale, No Public Distribution [eg by hand, email, web]