Dunbeath Castle

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Dunbeath Castle sits on the east coast of Caithness in northern Scotland, about 2 kilometres south of Dunbeath. The site has housed a castle since the 15th century, but the present building is mainly from the 1600s with 19th‑century extensions. It is a Category A listed building and its grounds are recognised for their designed landscape.

The first castle on the rocky promontory was recorded in 1428, when the lands belonged to the Earl of Caithness. The first laird was Alexander Sutherland. Through marriage, the Sinclair family gained the estate, and a four‑storey tower was built in 1620. John Sinclair later reacquired the property around 1624 and likely oversaw major remodelling in the 1630s. In 1650 Dunbeath was attacked during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Catherine Fraser defended it briefly before a Royalist garrison was installed. After Montrose was defeated later that year, the castle was recaptured. Sir William Sinclair carried out major remodelling, and the building was updated again in 1853 and 1881 by architect David Bryce, who created a symmetrical northern front and a long, straight tree‑lined drive.

From 1894 to 1945 the castle was owned by Vice‑Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander‑Sinclair. It was then sold to Bertram Currie, and the property changed hands several times, including Harry and Helen Blythe, Ray Stanton Avery, and Stuart Wyndham Murray‑Threipland. In 2023 the castle was put up for sale again; it remains a private home, with the gardens open by appointment. In 2024 the castle and grounds were sold for £25 million to Dunbeath Estates Limited, whose sole director is Don Macleod; the buyer’s identity was kept private through trusts.

The oldest part of the castle sits at the southwest corner, with newer additions on the north and east in Scottish Baronial style. The interiors have been altered over time, and the site has a defensive dry ditch along the landward side. The 2023 Hindi film Neeyat was filmed at Dunbeath.