Brims Castle is a three storey 16th century tower house with court yard located in a very remote stretch of coastline at the end of a small track next to some tumbling old farm buildings. The building looks more like a derelect farm house than castle, finally abandoned by the farmer in 1970. It consists of a small L-plan tower within a walled court yard, built along the cliff edge. The rocky inlet has an abundance of wildlife incuding seals and bird life. The name Brims possibly originates from a viking called Brimmins who travelled the nearby coastline.

Access to the castle is restricted due to the state of the crumbling walls and great care should be taken.

~ History ~

1560's ~ Brims Castle is is built to adjoin an existing house by Henry Sinclair in response to the ruthless Earl of Caithness, George Sinclair. The Earl is infamous for his use of aggressive tactics to enforce his rule, including sending out raiding parties to harass his neighbours. Brims Castle was built as a fortified storehouse and refuge by Henry Sinclair against the earl's oppression.

The castle was built near to the shoreline, a convenient landing spot for supplies, and consisted of a three-storey stone-built tower. The ground floor had a sturdy vaulted ceiling and was likely used for storage, while the great hall was located on the first floor and sleeping quarters on the upper level and attic. The tower was surrounded by a curtain wall that would have housed a number of common ancillary buildings such as stables, bakers, and a brewhouse.

1610 ~ Following Henry's death the castle passes to his brother Richard Sinclair "of Brims"

John Brims elder and his son are convisted of sheep rustling.

1612 ~ George Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, gathers hundreds of men from Caithness and sets sail to Norway to join other Scottish mercenaries in the war between Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Many of the men from are forced into service by the Earl, against the wishes of King James VI of Scotland.

A Danish fleet blocks their approach so they are forced to march overland across Norway to Sweden. Norwegian peasants alerted by scouts and inflamed by earlier atrocities in the war, mobilise under leader Lars Gunnarson, gathering swords, spears, axes and scythes. They ambush the Scots in a narrow valley resulting in a total massacre including George Sinclair who is killed early in the fight. 180 Scots are killed with a further 134 captured, of which 116 were later executed.

1634 ~ A great famine covers Caithness killing thousands.

1650 ~ John Sinclair of Brims declares himself a supporter of the Marquis of Montrose and is reffered to as a "gentleman of Caithness"

1660 ~ John Sinclair of Tannach purchases the castle and lands, and thereafter styles himself John Sinclair of Brims.

1726 ~ Alexander Sinclair, Earl of Caithness purchases the the castle from the notorious Patrick Sinclair.

Patrick is accussed of having an affair with the beautiful daughter of James Sinclair of Uttersuoy, the natural brother of John Sinclair. The affair leaks out following the daughters disappearance with Patrick accussed of tiring of his young love, murdering her then having her body concealed somewhere secret within the castle walls.

Patrick is forced to flee the county, enlisting in the Scots Guards. James Sinclair's daughter is never heard of again, with locals years later reporting of seeing the ghost of a white lady within the castle walls.

Alexander feels he is being forced from his home at Murkle by the infamous pirate John 'Pirate' Gow. Pirate Gow had been second mate and gunner of a merchant ship of the British navy. However, after seizing his commander's ship along with some of its crew, Gow began a career of lucrative piracy off the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. After some time he returns to Caithness, setting up base on the island of Stromaand harassing the local gentry.

Alexander Sinclair's primary residence at this time is at Murkle, and, after a feud with the pirate, Gow threatens to bombard the Earl's house. Instead of confronting him, the Earl chooses to relocate his residence to Haimer and build a new castle there instead. Whilst this castle is under construction, Alexander purchases Brims Castle from Patrick who himself feels he is forced to flee his home, following threats to his life over the growing accusations of a secret affair and subsequent murder of his lover. 

Alexander takes up residence at Brims until his new castle is completed.

It is said that Gow does take his ship to Murkle and attempt to bombard the castle, but that the castle was built too far inland to be within range of his cannon fire, meaning he did not have to relocate to Brims castle and have a new reidence built at Haimer after all. Patrick Sinclair is never heard of again.