South Gateway, Carbisdale Castle

The South Gateway is probably the work of John Robertson of Inverness, dating to 1907. It forms part of the large Baronial mansion, Carbisdale Castle, which is roughly L-shaped and two storeys and an attic high. The building is constructed from bullfaced coursed grey rubble, with contrasting polished sandstone dressings. The South Gateway serves the entrance court, enclosed by the mansion to the east and south, with a retaining wall to the north and an entrance to the west.

The principal entrance is on the north facade, sheltered by a porte cochere. A secondary entrance is located in the re-entrant angle and features a corniced door-piece within a facetted angle tower that rises as a crenellated octagon for a single stage above the wallhead. A high, square clock tower is situated at the northwest angle, displaying clock faces. The upper stage of the clock tower is corbelled and features louvred tripartites, while a corbelled angle stair turret and small angle turrets rise from the crenellated wallhead of the north range.

The south front is terraced, showcasing three wide, full-height canted bay windows with corniced and parapetted wallheads and gabletted dormers above. Skews are accented with kneelers, and there is a further recessed gabled bay featuring a two-storey semi-circular bay. Most windows are mullioned and transomed, with some containing 8-pane glazing. The gables have decorative detailing and finials. Original rhones and down-pipes are present, with rainheads serving the south elevation and decorated with winged figures. Corniced stacks rise above the slate roofs.

Round, diminutive turrets with crenellated parapets flank the entrance to the court, accompanied by a pair of ornate wrought-iron carriage gates and a smaller flanking pedestrian gate.

Inside, the large entrance hall contains an ornate Baroque chimneypiece decorated with figures and foliage. A wide staircase features a Tudor balustrade with heavy carved detailing. The library boasts a rich Jacobean plaster ceiling, along with a carved wood chimneypiece in a similar style and original break-front bookcases. The first-floor drawing room is in an Adamesque style. Other interior features include fine panelled doors, moulded doorcases, and plaster ceilings.

The castle was built on the site of, and possibly incorporates, the former Culrain Lodge. It now operates as a Youth Hostel.