In Keiss, diverse traces of the past meet a sweeping coastline. Two highlights can help you plan your trip: the castle and brochs as historic and archaeological sites, and Keiss Beach, with its sandy shore and views across Sinclair’s Bay. Keiss Harbour is also part of the picture—not only as a starting point for a walk, but as an active fishing harbour.

Castle, Brochs and Church Architecture

Keiss Castle is a roofless castle on a slight headland. It probably dates from the second half of the 16th century. Its form and location set it apart from the brochs: rather than an Iron Age structure, you’ll find a building from a much later period. The probable date deliberately leaves its precise chronology open, while its prominent setting and roofless form mark the castle as a distinct part of the area’s history.

Keiss Broch is an Iron Age broch, dating from between 600 BC and AD 400. It stands on a raised beach overlooking Sinclair’s Bay. Whitegate Broch is also situated on a flat, raised beach, overlooking the bay. At Whitegate, sections of wall about 3 feet high remain. Both brochs are connected to the coastal landscape, but differ in the way their beach locations are described. If you’re interested in archaeological sites, you can observe these differences alongside the shared historical period of broch construction.

Another historic building is Keiss Village Church of Scotland. Dating from 1827, it is a church with a T-shaped plan built to the Parliamentary plan. This gives your itinerary a different architectural focus from the castle and brochs: here, the subject is a 19th-century church that is still used as a church. Keiss’s historic sites therefore range from an Iron Age structure to an early modern castle and a 19th-century church.

Keiss Beach and Sinclair’s Bay

Keiss Beach is a short walk along the coast from Keiss village and Keiss Harbour. Conditions may vary depending on the season. The beach has a sandy stretch several miles long, suited to walks along the Caithness coast. From the beach, you can see across Sinclair’s Bay to Noss Head Lighthouse. The short route from the village or harbour and the extensive sandy shore describe two different aspects: the way to reach the beach and the space the coast offers for a longer walk.

Local fishing boats continue to use Keiss Harbour to catch crab and lobster in Sinclair’s Bay; activity may change over time. This gives the harbour a connection to local fishing as well as making it a starting point for a walk. The beach and harbour offer different ways to experience the coast: one via the broad stretch of sand, the other through a place where local boats continue to work.

Choosing Keiss as a Place to Stay

If you’re mainly looking for coastal scenery and walks, the beach access, long stretch of sand and views across the bay are useful points to consider when assessing the destination. If history and archaeology are your main interests, the castle, brochs and church offer a different combination of experiences. Both are part of the Keiss described here, but neither says anything about the facilities or location of any particular hotel.

The harbour may also factor into your choice: Keiss Harbour combines a short walk to the beach with ongoing local fishing. Check seasonal conditions when planning a coastal walk. This lets you choose Keiss based on your particular interests without assuming a fixed itinerary: you can focus on the architectural forms and their different periods, explore the coast on foot, or consider both as themes for your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Nethy Bridge, Morar, Oban, Invergordon, Kenmore, Spean Bridge, Onich, Fortrose.

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