Ackergill Tower: A Historic Scottish Tower House Near Wick

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Country: United Kingdom

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Remains: Military

History

Ackergill Tower stands near the coastal village of Wick in northern Scotland. Built in the early 1500s, this stone tower house was constructed by the Scottish clan system that dominated the region during that period.

The lands surrounding Ackergill initially came under the control of Clan Keith in 1354 when John Keith of Inverugie inherited them from the Cheynes family. It is likely that his son erected the tower itself, which was first mentioned in historical records in 1538. Throughout the 16th century, the tower became a focus of conflict between the Keiths and the Sinclairs, two powerful local clans. The Sinclairs seized the tower in 1547 and again in 1556, but Mary of Guise, the Regent of Scotland, granted pardons that restored it to the Keiths. During this turbulent time, Laurence Oliphant was appointed as the tower’s keeper in 1549.

In 1593, Robert Keith took Ackergill Tower by force, though he was branded a rebel, and the property was returned to the Earl Marischal, the Keith clan leader. A few years later, in 1597, John Keith of Subster surprised the defenders with a nocturnal attack to recapture the tower. Legal ownership shifted in 1612 when the Sinclairs acquired Ackergill Tower from the Earl Marischal. The tower was besieged during a clan feud in 1623 by Sir Robert Gordon but surrendered without the need for a fight.

During the mid-17th century, Oliver Cromwell’s forces may have stationed soldiers at Ackergill Tower in 1651 while conducting military operations against nearby Dunnottar Castle, searching for the Scottish crown jewels known as the Honours of Scotland. Later, in 1676, John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland, came into possession of the tower as repayment of debts owed by the Sinclairs.

In 1699, John Campbell sold Ackergill Tower to Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs. The Dunbar family maintained and enhanced the property over the following centuries. In the 18th century, they added a rear lean-to extension, and in the mid-19th century, significant remodeling was undertaken by the architect David Bryce for George Sutherland Dunbar, 7th Lord Duffus. The Dunbars held the tower until 1986, after which it was restored and repurposed as a hotel and event venue.

A local legend connected to the tower tells of Helen Gunn, a young woman said to have been abducted by John Keith. According to the tale, she escaped captivity by plunging from the top of the tower. Her spirit is said to haunt the building to this day.

Remains

Ackergill Tower is a well-preserved example of a five-storey stone tower house, featuring an oblong, rectangular footprint typical of Scottish defensive residences built in the early 1500s. The sturdy stone walls reflect construction techniques aimed at both defense and domestic comfort.

Attached to the rear of the main tower is a four-storey wing added during the early 18th century. This lean-to extension expanded the living space and marks the first significant modification beyond the original structure. In the mid-19th century, architect David Bryce contributed further alterations, including a cap-house—a small tower or room atop the roof—enhancing both the tower’s silhouette and functionality.

Situated on a cliff overlooking Sinclair’s Bay, approximately four kilometers north of Wick, the tower’s coastal position would have offered both strategic advantage and commanding views. The building’s stone construction and enduring form have earned it Category A status, identifying it as a nationally important historic monument.

While the tower’s interior details and decorative elements are not extensively recorded, its alterations through the centuries illustrate the evolving needs of its owners and the changing architectural styles. The tower remains a prominent landmark, embodying both its medieval origins and later enhancements. The story of Helen Gunn is associated with the highest part of the tower, linking its physical structure to local folklore.