Kinbrace
Castle (Medieval)(Possible)
Site Name Kinbrace
Classification Castle (Medieval)(Possible)
Canmore ID 6653
Site Number NC82NE 25
NGR NC 87 28
NGR Description NC c. 87 28
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/6653
- Council Highland
- Parish Kildonan
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC82NE 25 c. 87 28.
The rim of the castle at Kinbrace of the Lady Frakark, in which according to the Sagas, she was burned to death by Sveinn Asleifson, c1140, is traditionally known as Cairn Shuin (T Pennent 1769) or Carn Suine (Statistical Account [OSA] 1792) and lies at Suinachugh (OPS 1855) or Chenachu (J Gray 1922) (Shenachu: c. NC 8828 [Information from H Morrison map of Sutherland 1853]) which is said to mean 'the old field' or 'the old cairns'. In 1769 Pennant saw the remains as large shapeless heaps and says that 'though the ruins are great yet no man can tell of what kind they were : that is round like Pictish houses or not'. (? Possibly a reference to the chambered cairns etc in this vicinity eg NC82NE 2, NC82NE 3, NC82NE 7, NC82NE 10, NC82NE 20 )
(A B Taylor 1938; J Mackay 1894)
This site of this alleged castle was not established during field investigation.
Visited by OS (E G C) 31 May 1961
