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Sutherland

Castle Varrich

A small ruined tower on a bluff above the Kyle of Tongue, reached on foot from the village, perhaps as old as the Norse or as late as the 1500s.

Welcome

Just west of the village of Tongue, on the top of a wooded bluff above the Kyle of Tongue, stands a small, square ruined tower.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

This is Castle Varrich, Caisteal Bharraigh in Gaelic, and nobody is quite sure how old it is.

The Norse lived around Tongue between the 900s and the 1200s, and the place name itself is theirs, from tunga, a tongue of land running into the water. Some believe they built the first castle here, and that it is the Beruvik mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga. Others think it was raised in the 1500s, by the Bishops of Caithness or by the Mackays, the Lords of Reay, who held much of north-west Sutherland.

A path climbs to it from the village, and the view from the top is the reward: the long sands and shallows of the Kyle of Tongue, the causeway, and the peaks of Ben Loyal to the south.

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Before you go

The ruin stands open on its bluff at all times, free.

A path climbs to it from the village of Tongue.

Where
On a bluff above the Kyle of Tongue, just west of the village.
Getting there
On foot from Tongue.

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Did you know

An aerial view of a wooded headland with a small tower on its crest, reaching into a calm loch
Did you know

A tongue of land.

Tongue takes its name from the Old Norse tunga, a tongue of land running into the loch.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Sutherland

On a wooded bluff above the Kyle of Tongue stands a small, square ruined tower, and nobody is quite sure how old it is. Some believe the Norse built the first castle here, others that it was raised in the 1500s by the Bishops of Caithness or the Mackays, who held much of this country. The climb from the village is short and easy to follow. From the top you look over the long sands and shallows of the Kyle, the causeway across it, and the many tops of Ben Loyal to the south.

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Where it is

On a bluff just west of Tongue, above the Kyle of Tongue, reached by a path from the village.

Close byTongue.
  1. TongueTongueA village above the Kyle of Tongue, with Ben Loyal to the south, the ruin of Castle Varrich on its bluff, and a causeway across the Kyle.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandBurr’s of TongueUnder a mile 1 min by road
  3. Timber-framed café interior with fairy lights strung across exposed roof beamsWeavers Craft Shop & CaféWeavers Craft Shop and Café looks out over the Kyle of Tongue.2 miles 5 min by road
  4. The Norse Bakehouse dining room, green panelling and wooden tables under strings of lights and a high ceiling.Norse Bakehouse2 miles 5 min by road
  5. Lichen-covered boulders frame a scattering of lochans across distant Highland glensBen LoyalThe Queen of Scottish mountains, to the south.6 miles 11 min by road
  6. Ard Neakie Lime KilnsArd Neakie Lime KilnsLime kilns on a near-island in Loch Eriboll.12 miles 18 min by road
Directions
A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.TongueLundies HousePlace to stay · 0.4 miles
Sandy beach curves beneath grassy cliffs beside a rocky outcrop in the seaAttractionsColdbackie Beach3.0 miles
Rust-coloured viewing platform overlooking a loch winding through misty hillsAttractionsCnoc Craggie3.8 miles
Stone bridge over a dark stream with moorland hills behindAttractionsLettermore, Loch Loyal7.1 miles
A stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.HopeKeeper's CottageSleeps 6 · 9.2 miles
A stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.HopeFerryman's CottageSleeps 4 · 9.2 miles
Sandy beach curves between hills and rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsTorrisdale Beach9.6 miles
Sun setting over a river estuary winding between grassy hillsAttractionsTorrisdale Bay10 miles
Aerial view of a tidal island linked to the shore by twin sandy causewaysAttractionsLoch Eriboll12 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.Lundies House
  • To stay
  • In Tongue
  • Under a mile from Castle Varrich
Check datesKyle House, SutherlandKyle House
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Tongue
  • 3 miles from Castle Varrich
Check datesA stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.Keeper's Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Hope
  • 7 miles from Castle Varrich
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.Ferryman's Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Hope
  • 7 miles from Castle Varrich
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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