History

No one is exactly sure of when Ackergill Tower was built: in the mid 14th century only the ‘lands of Ackergill’ were mentioned as among the properties of Sir Reginald de Cheyne who, at that time, owned nearly half of Caithness. The style of architecture, however, leads us to believe that the Tower was built in the later 15th century, circa 1475. 

Indeed, it is from this early period that the famous story of Helen Gunn dates. Known as the ‘Beauty of Braemore,’ she was abducted from her home in Braemore on her wedding night and kept prisoner in the Tower by the infamous Dugald Keith. Rather than succumb to his less than honourable advances, she leapt from the battlements. The stone on which she was believed to have fallen, and which bears her outline, can be seen nearby.

More recently the estate, from 1890 to 1986, had declined from over 100,000 acres to less than 4000, and the income generated from small farms rented to tenant farmers did little to support the cost of an ageing and demanding building. By this time Ackergill Tower was considered to be beyond salvation and was put up for sale. 

It was bought by John and Arlette Banister; only the sixth owner in the Tower’s long and chequered history, and they embarked on a two year programme of restoration, which saw the castle meticulously restored to its former glory when it re-opened its doors in 1988.

Amazing Retreats were fortunate enough to add Ackergil Tower to their portfolio in 2009 and it continues to thrive as our flagship venue and as the great house that it truly is. The next step of the Tower’s development is the conversion of the old stable block into a wonderful house with four en-suite bedrooms centred around a sitting room. As with all our Retreats, we will maintain many of the original features including the wall mounted saddle blocks from the tack rooms and the wooden stall features. When completed, the Old Stables will be quite rustic and simple in its furnishing, but naturally of the quality and finish that one would expect from a luxury property.

We will also be developing the old ‘Dipper’, so called because it is where the sheep were dipped before clipping. The Dipper will become a luxurious spa consisting of treatment rooms, sauna, hot tubs and a large central area which can be split into smaller spaces for dance and fitness classes, wedding receptions and much more. The treatment rooms and hot tubs will be formed in traditional Caithness round shape structures at the front of the Dipper and will have glorious sea views. Completing the Dipper will be an observation tower, allowing unrestricted views across the Bay and to the night skies and the Northern Lights.