Major Caithness tourist destination closed due to falling masonry
Castle Sinclair-Girnigoe near Wick, a magnet for visitors to the far north, was closed off this week after fallen masonry was discovered near the entrance.
The castle originates from the 15th century and was extended over the next 200 years until 1680 when it was deliberately partially destroyed and then fell into ruination.
Doreen Morgan from Noss Farm, which owns the land around the site, said: "There is loose masonry in the entrance archway and the fear is that if one or two stones fall it may lead to a greater collapse.
"A mason has assessed it visually and I believe there was to be a site visit with interested parties to consider what was required and to attain the necessary permissions to carry out repair work.
"It was felt that it was safer to close this off in the meantime. If visitors to continue to access it ignoring the signage then it may require more secure restrictions which to be honest would be a pity and very likely unsightly."
Noss Farm does not own the land the castle sits upon and and does not act as the custodian of the site but the family has dealt with many practical issues with regard to access over the years. Ms Morgan said that her family liaises with the Clan Sinclair Trust which previously carried out a programme of work to strengthen the remains.
A recently published fantasy novel by Shawn Williamson called Questus used Sinclair-Girnigoe Castle as the backdrop to a story about the mystical elements from Caithness' past.
The novel includes references to the Knights Templar and is built around the story of a global conspiracy by a group of industrialists trying to "conform the whole world's population using artificial intelligence". A Manchester-based media company is developing a computer game and film based on Questus.
