What is recorded here
Janet's tower stands in Caithness, a post-medieval folly built for pleasure rather than defence. The real castle vanished centuries ago, leaving only this decorative seat tower to mark the loss. Janet may have sat there watching the sea, proud of a castle that no longer existed.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Thurso Castle, Lady Janet's Seat Tower as Folly (period Unassigned). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 1m. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Thurso Castle, Lady Janet's Seat Tower is a 16th-century tower house associated with the influential Sinclair family of Thurso. It is remembered as a symbol of local power and as an example of early defensive architecture in northern Scotland.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Thurso East MainsAgricultural Cropmark (modern)(possible), Enclosure (period Unassigned)(possible) · 306 yd
Thurso CastleCastle (17th Century) · 628 yd
Thurso, Thurso CastleMilitary Camp (20th Century) · 835 yd
Thurso, Harold's Tower MausoleumMausoleum (18th Century) · 848 yd
Thurso Castle, the Lodge and GatewayGate Lodge (period Unassigned), Gateway (period Unassigned) · 931 yd
Dr John Grant Smith MemorialMemorial · 1428 yd
Magnus Mowat MemorialMemorial · 1640 yd
Britannia: Thurso Bay, Pentland FirthSchooner (19th Century) · 1.1 mi
Wolfburn DistilleryHeritage attraction · 1.8 mi
Ben Rannes: Spear Head, Pentland FirthTrawler (20th Century) · 2.4 mi
Castlehill Heritage CentreMuseum · 4.2 mi
Cairnmore HillockMountain / peak · 4.6 mi