Skip to content

Historic Castle of Old Wick opens again to public

News imageHistoric Environment Scotland Stacked grey and brown rocks sit on top of a green hilltop where the dark blue sea enters a gully. The background is overcast with light grey clouds Historic Environment Scotland
The landmark is situated on the edge of the North Sea

The historic Castle of Old Wick, located south of the Caithness town, has reopened to the public.

Known locally as the Old Man of Wick, the landmark has undergone masonry inspections and repairs by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

The surviving four-storey tower stands on a narrow rocky headland that extends out into the North Sea.

Tradition places its origins with Earl Harald Maddason of the 12th Century, however the surviving fabric is understood to date to the 14th Century or later.

Sian Evans of site manager HES described the castle as one of Caithness' "most striking medieval sites", loved by locals and visitors.

News imageHistoric Enviornment Scotland A dark grey stack of rocks forming a ruined castle sit upon a green grass bank with white clouds and a grey and blue sky in the background. Historic Enviornment Scotland
Work has been carried out as part of an inspections programme

Using ropes and scaffolding, specialist teams visited in October to carefully check stonework by hand.

The work forms part of HES' nationwide programme to assess the age, construction, location and climate impact of its estate.

The masonry programme is designed to guide repairs and ensure safe public access.

The castle is open all year round.