Monument record MHG25219 - Skibo Castle

Skibo Castle is first mentioned in a charter dated 1211 AD. It was in use as Bishop's residence even after erection of Bishop's Palace at Dornoch in 16th century. A letter, incorporated in 16th century charter, shows castle to be at that time thatched and in disrepair. The structure is not mentioned again until 17th century when it is noted as being amongst first to be slated from a new-found local quarry. Late 18th century described as being Bishop's summer residence and as having been repaired. Since then all proprietors seem to have repaired, altered, renovated, extended, enlarged and improved structure down to 1895 when Andrew Carnegie became proprietor and built present castle.
Campbell (1920) states that "no part of old Castle Skibo remains".
C D Bentinck 1926; D Matheson 1902; H F Campbell 1920.

Workmen found two cists, whilst excavating foundations of Skibo Castle, beneath the walls of old castle which had been demolished.
J H Stevenson 1899.

NH 7363 8904. No part of old castle now remains. The oldest part of present castle was built about 1875, but most of present building was built between 1899 and 1901 (Info from J P Whittet, Estate Factor, Clashmore to OS).
Nothing is known about discovery of cists.
Visited by OS (W D J) 6 June 1963.

No change. Visited by OS (J M) 10 December 1980

The present castle stands on site of Bishop's residence and was purchased in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie. It was rebuilt in 1900 by Ross and Macbeth, incorporating baronial house of 1880 (Clark & Bell, Glasgow). Currently owned by Peter de Savaray (1996) and run as a venue for corporate entertaining.
Information from RCAHMS (VCO) 2 July 1996
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ARCHITECT: Ross & Macbeth 1899 alterations and additions;
Thomas Mawson 1904 garden schemes with terraces

An illustrated gazetteer of the buildings, structures and features of historic interest on the Skibo Estate was produced by Andrew PK Wright in 2013. It had been commissioned by the Carnegie Club to provide an overview on the resource, its relative importance and special interest, current condition, and conservation issues that may require to be addressed in the short and longer term. The evaluation of the sites and buildings set out in the gazetteer was based on limited external inspection of the fabric and could not be construed as being exhaustive. <1>

Parent for:

NH78NW0013 Skibo Castle, Bishop's Palace
NH78NW0004 Skibo Castle, Bishop's well
NH78NW0015 Skibo Castle, cist
NH78NW0016 Skibo Castle, dovecot
NH78NW0017 Skibo Castle, St Mary's well
NH78NW0019 Skibo Castle, axe
NH78NW0064 Skibo Castle, formal garden
NH78NW0056 Skibo Castle, glasshouses
NH78NW0051 Skibo Castle, dairy and house
NH78NW0071 Skibo Castle, garden pavilion
NH78NW0073 Skibo Castle, kitchen garden
NH78NW0078 Skibo Castle, terraced garden
NH78NW0090 Skibo Castle, Gardener's House
NH78NW0091 Skibo Castle, sundial
NH78NW0092 Skibo Castle, boathouse
NH78NW0093 Skibo Castle, entrance driveway
NH78NW0094 Skibo Castle, estate cottage
NH78NW0095 Skibo Castle, Loch Ospisdale, garden
NH78NW0096 Skibo Castle, Kennel's Cottage
NH78NW0097 Skibo Castle, Kennels
NH78NW0098 Skibo Castle, North Lodge
NH78NW0099 Skibo Castle, Home Farm
NH78NW0052 Skibo Castle, principal gate
NH78NW0100 Skibo Castle, Loch Ospisdale bridge
NH78NW0058 Skibo Castle, former electric house
NH78NW0053 Skibo Castle, swimming pool
NH78NW0054 Skibo Castle, bridge spanning outflow of Loch Ospisdale

Jhooper, 30/08/2001
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NH78NW 13.00 7363 8904

NH78NW 13.01 NH 7351 8889 Boathouse
NH78NW 13.02 NH 7344 8893 Stables
NH78NW 13.03 NH 7373 8932 Dairy
NH78NW 13.04 NH 7357 8933 Road
NH78NW 13.05 NH 7350 8931 Cottage
NH78NW 13.06 NH 7356 8920 Pavilion
NH78NW 13.07 NH 7357 8915 Greenhouse
NH78NW 13.08 Centred NH 7377 8905 Garden
NH78NW 13.09 Centred NH 7320 8885 Garden; Garden Feature
NH78NW 13.10 NH 7357 8950 Lodge
NH78NW 13.11 NH 7351 8952 Cottage
NH78NW 13.12 NH 7383 8924 Farmhouse; Farmsteading
NH78NW 13.13 NH 7351 8949 Kennels
NH78NW 13.14 NH 7366 8904 Sundial
NH78NW 13.15 NH 7347 8892 Swimming Pool
NH78NW 13.16 Centred NH 7365 8903 Garden
NH78NW 13.17 NH 7113 8902 Lodge
NH78NW 13.18 Centred NH 7400 8759 Garden; Garden Feature
NH78NW 13.19 NH 7355 8940 Gardener's Lodge
NH78NW 13.20 Centred NH 7368 8908 Formal Garden