Caithness A - Z

Castle Varrich

A Walk To Castle Varrich

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Castle Varrich - Caisteal Bharraich - Tongue
A small roofless tower-house stands on the hill over looking Tongue and the Kyle of Tongue.  The building is thought to be 16th century but the site may have much earlier associations dating back to Norse times. and the bishops of Caithness in medieval times.

It takes about one hour or perhaps one and a half hours depending on your walking pace to get to the castle from the main street in Tongue.  A steep path takes you past an interesting reed bed waste water treatment plant being used by Scottish Water as a natural way of dealing with waste water from the village of Tongue.  Follow the signs from the village and across the river and then uphill using small bridges and steps. There is no wheelchair access and reasonable fitness is required for the walk to the castle.

The views over the Kyle of Tongue are magnificent and well worth the walk to the castle.  Views to the village of Tongue shows exactly how it is laid out.