Archaeology InSites

Age of Stone

Age of Bronze

Age of Iron

Age of Invasion

Age of Warriors

Age of Worship

Age of Kings

Age of Clans

Age of Industry

Age of Leisure

Age of War

This Age

Age of Kings

Explore the Age of kings, of queens and of their castles. From the Mote of Urr, Motte-and-Bailey Castle in the south, to the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in the north, we explore some of the less well-known castles of Scotland, and the stories that made them.

Rosyth Castle - Rosyth, Fife

Rosyth Castle in Fife has a long history dating back to 1450 when it was built for the Stewart family. It was originally situated on a small island but is today surrounded by dockyards and a commercial port. The HES archive offers a fascinating record of the changes that have taken place with the castle and the surrounding landscape since the late 18th century.

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Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – Caithness, Highland

Perched dramatically on a cliff top on the coast of Caithness, just a few miles north of Wick, stands the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. The castle belonged to the powerful Sinclair Earls of Caithness, providing a military stronghold, an administrative centre and an effective projection of their status from the 14th to the 17th century. A dispute about succession led to an attack on the castle in 1680 which, coupled with the dire financial situation of the family, led to its abandonment. Excavation and survey by FAS under the auspices of the Clan Sinclair Trust have led to a much greater insight into the story of this extraordinary example of the Scottish castle.

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