What is recorded here
Keiss Castle, a tiny Wick-registered auxiliary lugsail of just seven tons, struck the Stroma Pier rocks on 16 June 1918. Capt. Robertson and his crew faced the Pentland Firth's cruel sway in a vessel no longer than nine metres, small enough that one wrong turn meant death. The castle name mocks such fragility; castles stand while lugsails break.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Keiss Castle: Stroma Pier, Pentland Firth as Auxiliary Lugger (19th Century). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 10m. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Keiss Castle: Stroma Pier, Pentland Firth was built in the 19th century as an auxiliary lugger, likely associated with coastal defense or maritime operations. It is remembered as a historic maritime structure in a strategically significant location at the Pentland Firth.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Stroma, UppertownLong Cairn (neolithic)(possible) · 219 yd
Cairn HillMountain / peak · 624 yd
Scarton PointHeadland · 823 yd
War MemorialMemorial · 1093 yd
Mell HeadHeadland · 1407 yd
William and Harry: Tree Geo, Stroma, Pentland FirthCraft (19th Century) · 1409 yd
Mestag CastleArchaeological place · 1410 yd
North Sea: Broad Geo, Stroma, Pentland FirthSteamship (19th Century) · 1421 yd
The GloupCave · 1.2 mi
Stroma LighthouseLighthouse · 1.8 mi
Huna Mission HallMission Hall (mid 20th Century) (1932) · 2.1 mi