Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a ruined castle located on the coast of Caithness, Scotland, about 3 miles north of Wick. The castle sits dramatically perched atop sheer cliffs overlooking Sinclair’s Bay. It was originally two separate castles – Castle Girnigoe built in the 15th century by the Sinclair family, and Castle Sinclair added in the 17th century.
The castle has a complex history tied to the powerful Sinclair family. Castle Girnigoe was constructed around 1470 by William Sinclair, 3rd Earl of Orkney. In 1577, George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness imprisoned his own son John in the castle for seven years, where John eventually died. The castle was besieged in 1680 during a dispute between George Sinclair of Keiss and the Earl of Caithness. It was abandoned shortly after and fell into ruin.
Today, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is considered one of the most spectacular ruins in Scotland. Its dramatic clifftop location and well-preserved remains make it a popular tourist attraction. Conservation efforts have been undertaken in recent years to stabilize and preserve the ruins. The castle is owned by the Clan Sinclair Trust and is open to the public.
There have been reports of strange occurrences and ghostly sightings over the years. One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sighting of a ghostly female figure. She is often described as wearing a long grey dress or cloak, and has been seen walking along the clifftop near the castle or standing in one of the ruined windows looking out to sea. Some speculate this could be the spirit of a woman who died at the castle, though no specific historical figure has been linked to the apparition.
There have also been reports of a male apparition, sometimes described as wearing 16th or 17th century clothing, seen in the area of the great hall. A few visitors claim to have captured orbs or strange mists in photographs taken at the castle, though these could potentially be explained by natural phenomena like dust or sea spray.
One of the more unusual claims involves reports of phantom sounds of battle or conflict. A handful of people say they’ve heard distant sounds of clashing metal or men shouting, as if a ghostly re-enactment of one of the castle’s many sieges was taking place. These auditory phenomena are typically reported on foggy days when visibility is low, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
The dungeon area of the castle is said to be a particular hotspot for paranormal activity. Some visitors report feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions or a sense of despair when entering this space. There have been claims of people feeling touched or pushed by unseen hands in the dungeon. A few psychic investigators who have visited the site claim to have picked up on residual energy from past events, particularly related to the imprisonment of John Sinclair by his father.
