‘Old Man of Wick’ reopens to visitors
The Castle of Old Wick has reopened its doors to visitors, following the completion of High-Level Masonry inspections and minor repairs conducted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), who manages the site.
In October, specialist teams carried out tactile inspections, carefully checking stonework by hand, accessing the ruin using ropes and scaffolding. These inspections form part of HES’s nationwide High-Level Masonry programme, launched in April 2022, which is assessing sites with masonry over 1.5 metres to understand the combined impacts of age, construction, location and climate change, and to guide repairs and safe public access.
Known locally as the ‘Old Man of Wick’, the surviving four-storey tower stands on a narrow rocky headland that juts out into the North Sea, with a deep rock-cut ditch and earthworks behind. While tradition places its origins with Earl Harald Maddadson (12th century), the surviving fabric is understood to date to the 14th century or later. Its exposed coastal setting has contributed to ongoing deterioration of the masonry.
Sian Evans, Regional Visitor and Community Manager at HES, said:
“The ‘Old Man of Wick’ is one of Caithness' most striking medieval sites, a much-loved landmark for both locals and visitors, who I hope will enjoy visiting the site and exploring its history.”
Find out more about the Castle of Old Wick and plan your visit
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot
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