Brahan Castle

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} thumb|Brahan Castle

{{designation list | designation1 = Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland | designation1_offname = Brahan | designation1_date = 30 June 1987 | designation1_number = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=GDL00068|short=yes}} }}

'''Brahan Castle''' was situated {{convert|3.5|mi}} south-west of Dingwall, in Easter Ross, Highland Scotland. The castle belonged to the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie, who dominated the area.

==History== Brahan Castle was built by Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth in 1611.<ref name=rcahms>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=12867 |num2=NH55SW 5 |desc=Brahan Castle |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> Kenneth Mackenzie, a labourer on the estate, was a reputed seer who made a number of prophecies in the later 17th century. He is remembered as the Brahan Seer.

The Mackenzies were prominent Jacobites, and took part in the Jacobite risings of 1715, 1719 and 1745. The Siege of Brahan took place in November 1715.<ref>Mackenzie, Alexander. "History of the Munros of Fowlis". page 99 Published 1898. Quoting a contemporary manuscript written by Major Fraser of Castleleathers</ref> William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, was attainted, forfeiting the estate, which in 1725 became the headquarters of General Wade during his "pacification" of the Highlands.<ref name=HS>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=GDL00068|desc=BRAHAN|access-date=2018-12-30|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The estate was later sold back to the Mackenzie family, although the direct line of descent died out in 1781. The estate passed to Francis Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth who carried out tree planting in the grounds. On his death in 1815, Brahan passed to the baron's eldest daughter Mary Elizabeth Frederica Mackenzie who married James Alexander Stewart of Glasserton in 1817.<ref>National Records of Scotland GD46/21/6 General Retour in Favour of Lady Hood Mackenzie as heir to her Father Francis, Lord Seaforth 7 March 1816</ref> During the first half of the 19th century, the castle was rebuilt and extended as a large country house.<ref name=rcahms/>

James Stewart-Mackenzie was created Baron Seaforth in 1921, but on his death without heir in 1923, he left the estate to a trust.<ref name=HS/> Brahan Castle was briefly requisitioned during World War II, and after the war its condition deteriorated. In the early 1950s the building was demolished, leaving only the north wall of the 19th-century building, which served as a garden ornament. The stable block survives, and is now known as Brahan House. Several heraldic panels and other decorative stones are preserved in the house.<ref name=rcahms/>

A monument on the estate, around {{convert|1|mi}} west of the site of the castle, commemorates the death in 1823 of Caroline Mackenzie, daughter of the last earl, who died after being thrown from a pony carriage near the same location.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB14027|desc=BRAHAN, SEAFORTH MONUMENT|cat=B|access-date=2018-12-30|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Castles in Highland (council area) Category:Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Highland Category:Former castles in Scotland + Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Scotland Category:Ross and Cromarty Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1611 Category:17th-century architecture in the United Kingdom