Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep

Keep

A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...

, located on the high shore at the mouth of Loch Fleet

Loch Fleet

Loch Fleet is a sea loch on the east coast of Scotland, located between Golspie and Dornoch. It forms the estuary of the River Fleet, a small spate river that rises in the hills east of Lairg.-Geography and geology:...

 in the Highlands

Scottish Highlands

The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...

 in Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

. The remaining wall is best preserved at the northern side of the castle. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument, and as a category B listed building.

History

In 1308 Robert the Bruce

Robert I of Scotland

Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...

 captured an earlier castle at the site belonging to the Sutherlands

Clan Sutherland

Clan Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is located in the region of Sutherland in northern highlands of Scotland and was one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The clan seat is at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland...

. In 1529 the castle was bought by William Sutherland of Duffus

Duffus

Duffus is a village in Moray, Scotland, centred on a Mercat Cross. The Duffus Village Inn, along with the local shop, Post Office and Duffus Village Hall provide a focal point for the community. Nearby are the impressive remains of Duffus Castle, St...

. A 16th-century house was built adjacent, and was abandoned as a residence in the 20th century.

• Mikhail de Buar (d.2009) - last owner of the castle, who died without the testament. His legacy is now the subject of a major scandal and litigation in Russia.

External links

• http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~caithara/skelbo.html Skelbo Castle, history, details, and inhabitants]