Day 323: Freswick to Wick – Castles, Brochs and Anti-tank Blocks

2 comments
Caithness, Scotland

Date of walk: 9/8/2019

Anti-Tank Garden, Freswick Bay, Caithness, Scotland.

Freswick House and Bay, Caithness, Scotland.

Freswick House, A 16th century Tower house, Caithness, Scotland.

Pixelated, Ness Head, Caithness, Scotland.

Bucholly Castle I, built 15th century, Castle Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Bucholly Castle II, built 15th century, Castle Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Castle Geo, below Bucholly Castle I, Caithness, Scotland.

Bucholly Castle II, built 15th century, Castle Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Bucholly Castle IV, built 15th century, Castle Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Castle Geo, below Bucholly Castle II, Caithness, Scotland.

Bucholly Castle V, built 15th century, Castle Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Mervyn's Tower at Nybster Broch, Caithness, Scotland.

Mervyn’s Tower at Nybster Broch, Caithness, Scotland.

Jetty at Horse Geo, Caithness, Scotland.

Mervyn’s Tower, Caithness, Scotland.

Nybster Broch, Caithness, Scotland.

Keiss Castle I, built 16th century, Keiss, Caithness, Scotland.

Keiss Castle II, built 16th century, Keiss, Caithness, Scotland.

Keiss Castle III, built 16th century, Keiss, Caithness, Scotland.

Two eras of defence: Keiss Castle with WW2 pill box by Sinclair’s Bay, Caithness, Scotland.

Keiss harbour, Caithness, Scotland.

Dragon’s Teeth, Keiss Beach, Caithness, Scotland.

WWII Anti-tank blocks, Keiss Beach, Caithness, Scotland.

First mark of the North Sea Oil & Gas industry. Subsea 7 fabrication Launch site at Keiss Beach where 7.7km length pipeline bundles are fabricated and launched, Caithness, Scotland.

Anti-tank blocks on Keiss Beach, built after the occupation of Norway in 1940 made the beaches of Caithness vulnerable to Nazi invasion, Caithness, Scotland.

Lending a hand, Keiss Beach, Caithness, Scotland.

The cones (dragons teeth) were set in two rows with the larger blocks (pimples) set behind at Keiss Beach. The whole area was mined extensively, the removal of which took two years due to the shifting sands, Caithness, Scotland.

The peaty River of Wester meets the sea at Keiss Beach, Caithness, Scotland.

Rain on the lens as Keiss Beach, Caithness, Scotland.

Ackergill Tower, A 16th century Tower house in rain, Caithness, Scotland.

Lookout, Sinclair’s Bay, Caithness, Scotland.

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, It is considered to be one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair. It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe; and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair. Caithness, Scotland.

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in heavy rain, Caithness, Scotland.

Coast near Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, Caithness, Scotland.

Power, Noss Head, Caithness, Scotland.

I’m continually amused by the wide variety of artwork styles in depicting the unfortunate falling figure in ‘Danger Cliff’ signs.

South is still feeling special, as is having easy to follow signage.

Bucholly Castle.
Entering Nybster Broch.
Fierce
It’s hard not to get blown into the barbed wire.
An invasion of wind at Keiss.
Anti-tank blocks at Keiss.
Dragon’s Teeth and pimples at Keiss beach.
Getting out of the wind and rain in a pill box at Keiss Harbour.
Still fierce.
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. Wet!
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British Architectural & Landscape Photographer.

2 thoughts on “Day 323: Freswick to Wick – Castles, Brochs and Anti-tank Blocks”

  1. I assume Keiss Castle was not always that close to the cliff edge. Makes you wonder how long it has got left

    • Well the rock there is quite soft but that part of Scotland the land is rising due to Post-glacial rebound which may have reduced the speed of erosion. If any experts reading this could give their thoughts that would be great!

Whether you have comments on the photos, some knowledge or a personal story on this area you’d like to share, or you’ve spotted a typo or error, I’d love to hear your thoughts.