#ackergill tower

[livesunique]

Ackergill Tower, Wick, Scotland

[archaicwonder]

Ackergill Tower, Wick, Scotland

The lands where the tower stands belonged to the Cheyne family until 1354 when it passed by marriage to the Keiths, the Earls of Marshall who probably built the castle in the late 14th or early 15th century. The tower appears to have been in the possession of the Sinclair Earls of Caithness in the early 17th century, and to have been garrisoned by Cromwellian troops in 1651. By 1726 it had come into the possession of the Dunbars of Hempriggs by whom it is still owned. The property is currently a hotel.

A legend from the 15th century relates the tale of a young woman by the name of Helen Gunn, who was abducted by John Keith for her beauty. She flung herself, or fell, from the highest tower of Ackergill to escape her abductor’s advances. Supposedly her ghost is still seen, wearing a long red gown and a tall head of black hair. This is said to have been the true beginning for all feuding between the Gunns and the Keiths. It led to the Battle of Champions in either 1478 or 1464, a judicial combat which led to a massacre of the Gunns by the Keiths at the chapel of St Tear (or Tayre) just east of the village.

[lord-canewaxer]

Fire, Ackergill Tower, Wick - Police Scotland

Police in Caithness are investigating a suspicious fire at Ackergill Tower, Wick, which occurred on Sunday 5 January 2014.

I recently posted some photos of Ackergill Tower.  It is a shame if someone wanted to burn it down - the fact it was in the early hours of the morning, when people were probably sleeping, makes it even worse.

Ackergill is well cared for compared to many of the local landmarks - and the prices they charge mean it can afford to be.  It is a thorny argument; whether it a good thing, providing employment and protecting an ancient building which may otherwise have fallen into disrepair, or whether it promotes elitism and encourages a stratigraphic division of society, becoming a symbol of power and wealth.

Either way, the fact it appears someone tried to burn it down makes me sad.

[lord-canewaxer]

Ackergill Tower, closer.  

The oldest part is certainly 15th century, possibly older.  There is a ghost - all castles in Scotland are required BY LAW to have at least one (and preferably more than one) ghost.

This last statement may not actually be true.

[travelreview-blog]

King (Or Queen) For A Day: The Top Best Castle Getaways In The UK

Exploring the historic castles of Great Britain is a firm favourite of many, because let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to play king or queen for the day? From the grand turrets and medieval drawbridges to the acres of beautiful gardens and the historical influences, a castle truly offers an enchanting experience quite like no other. Today it would seem that more and more castles are now opening their doors for overnight stays, so let’s take a step back in time and visit some of the best castle stays in the UK. Ackergill Tower One of Scotland’s, if not the world’s, best kept secret, this 5 star luxury hotel is nestled in private acres of countryside and lakes in Caithness. Boasting 27 individually designed bedrooms, they are draped in antique furnishings, yet modern twists are hidden throughout. The 15th century tower offers a wealth of history and exploring the grounds offers a playground of activities including; archery, beach bonfires, clay pigeon shooting, cycling, walking trails, croquet and golf to name just a few. When it comes to dining you will be treated to the finest and freshest produce, all prepared by world famous head chef, Kevin Dalgleish.  If you are looking for a peaceful stay in one of Britain’s finest castles then Ackergill Tower is most definitely worth a visit. Amberley Castle Set in the picturesque village of Amberley in the chalk South Downs, Amberley Castle is a luxurious hotel with beautiful gardens and breath-taking landscapes. You may think you have stepped back in time as the castle is approached by a long drive with immaculate gardens at either side. You are then greeted with the magnificent twin towered gate house taking you through to beautiful well tendered gardens. The two dining rooms that you can dine in are ‘The Restaurant’ and the ‘Mistletoe Lodge’. All of the menus are freshly prepared by highly trained chefs and reflect that of the castles history, yet still keeping a contemporary influence throughout. Dalhousie Castle One of the finest luxury hotels in Scotland, Dalhousie Castle is a 13th century fortress that lies on the banks of the river Esk. Boasting a warm and friendly atmosphere, the hotel is the perfect place for a relaxing retreat whether it’s making use of the library, spending a few hours pampering in the spa or having a quiet drink next to an open fire. The castle has seen its fair share in historical moments and its medieval architecture gives the castle that special character and charm that truly makes this a unique stay in the countryside. Each room is individually designed giving you a variety of choice when selecting the themed room that’s right for you. When it comes to dinner, dining in the dungeons is far from ordinary as you are taken down an ancient stone stairway and served up the finest cuisine that Scotland has to offer. Thornbury Castle Thornbury Castle is a luxurious hotel which boasts a whole wealth of history and culture as kings and queens once called this place their home. The 500 year old castle offers guests beautiful parklands, a vineyard and stunning architecture. You can even enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep in the same room as King Henry VIII once stayed. The accommodation is quite simply stunning, with five options to choose from, and each room offering something a little bit different to the next. Dining at the castle is just as superb, with a whole host of traditional English favourites to choose from, all made from the finest ingredients.

[travelreview-blog]

Destination focus: Caithness, Scotland

Found in the far north of Scotland, Caithness is an area of unspoilt, dramatic scenery that needs to be seen in order to be believed. Home to a beautiful countryside, spectacular coastline and wonderful accommodation - including Ackergill Tower – it comes as no surprise that Caithness is a firm favourite destination with many. Castles can be found in stunning locations on the cliffs in Caithness. Mostly ruins, the huge number of them never fails to amaze visitors to these parts. And, with over 4000 monuments dating from Prehistoric right up the more recent Highland Clearances era, Caithness certainly has a fascinating tale to tell. The monument sites can mostly be found in spectacular coastal sites, near rivers and in the low hills. An unspoilt, beautiful place, Caithness is certainly a picturesque place. During your time at this beautiful location, take a stroll along the craggy coast and take in the stunning scenery. And, don't forget to explore the inland areas of desolate peat bog - these areas are actually part of the world's best preserved area of natural peat bog. Home to an array of flora and fauna, these inland areas attract many nature lovers. Home to... Many rare mammals, birds and fish have been spotted in and around Caithness waters. When looking from the shore - or from a boat - keep your eye out for harbour porpoises, dolphins (including bottle-nosed, Atlantic white-sided and white-beaked dolphins) and long-finned pilot whales. Both grey and common seals are known to come up close to the shore so they can feed, rest and raise their youngsters. Otters can also be seen near to river mouths in some of the more secluded locations. If you plan to come here in the springtime, you'll get to watch in awe at the thousands of nesting seabirds at Dunnet or Duncansby. Being the unspoilt place that it is, there are many other great places in Caithness where you can go bird and wildlife spotting. Caithness's other attractions... Other attractions in Caithness include The Castle of Mey - which is the biggest tourist attraction in the area. Her Majesty Queen acquired the castle, and the Queen Mother renovated and restored it and created the most beautiful gardens there. For almost 50 years, the Queen Mother spent many blissful summers here and shorter visits at other times of the year. The castle is definitely worth a visit during your time in Caithness. John O'Groats is another tourist hotspot - which is the most northerly place to be found on mainland Britain. It attracts large numbers of tourists from all across the world - all year round. There are regular boat trips from here - perfect if you want to view the diverse wildlife which can be found along the spectacular coastline. Venture further along the north coast and you can immerse yourself in the most dramatic landscape. Indented by deep sea lochs, you'll come across stunning, secluded beaches... it's your very own slice of paradise. The Orkney Islands are another major attraction- day trips can be had here in the summer and early autumn. Keen golf players won't be disappointed either - there's a variety of golf courses to choose from in Caithness, including Wick, Brora and Struie. Where to stay? There's something to suit everyone in Caithness. A particular favourite is Ackergill Tower - a luxurious Scottish castle found by the sea. Located north of Wick, Ackergill Tower is a category A listed building and is the perfect place to stay if you want to completely immerse yourself in the history of Caithness. There are a number of other fine hotels in Caithness to choose from, as well as Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering accommodation.