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Braal Castle
Castle (Medieval)
Site Name Braal Castle
Classification Castle (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Brawl Castle; The Keep
Canmore ID 8546
Site Number ND16SW 5
NGR ND 1379 6011
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8546
- Council Highland
- Parish Halkirk
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND16SW 5 1379 6011.
(ND 1379 6011) Braal Castle (NR) (remains of)
OS 6" map, (1970)
The ruins of Braal Castle are situated at the rear of the present mansion, on the N bank of the Thurso River. The tower is a rectangular, rubble-built structure measuring externally some 35 by 37ft and existing to the level of the top of the second storey. The walls are from 8 to 10ft in thickness. The entrance door is on the first floor level through the SW angle and just within it the staircase rises to the right in the thickness of the wall.
The castle probably dates from the 14th century. In 1375 or 1376, Robert II granted to his son David Stewart, the Castle of Brathwell and all the lands thereof. In 1547, the castle was in the possession of George, Earl of Caithness.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910
Braal Castle, a roofless shell as described by the previous authorities, and now in danger of collapse.
Visited by OS (N K B) 15 February 1982
Braal Castle. Structure conforms to OS description, but not entered as in a dangerous state of dilapidation.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995
