Carbisdale Castle

Carbisdale Castle is a large Baronial mansion likely designed by John Robertson of Inverness and built in 1907. It is roughly L-shaped, with two storeys and an attic. The exterior is constructed of bullfaced coursed grey rubble stone with contrasting polished sandstone dressings. The castle occupies a significant site, enclosed on the east and south sides by the mansion itself, a retaining wall to the north, and with an entrance to the west.

The main entrance is on the north facade, sheltered by a porte cochere. A secondary entrance is located in the re-entrant angle, featuring a corniced door-piece within a facetted angle tower which rises as a crenellated octagon above the wallhead. A tall, square clock tower is positioned at the northwest angle, featuring clock faces, a corbelled upper stage with louvred openings, a corbelled angle stair turret, and small angle turrets to the crenellated wallhead of the north range. The south front is terraced and incorporates three wide, full-height canted bay windows, each with corniced and parapetted wallheads and gabletted dormers above. Skews are present with kneelers and one further recessed gabled bay includes a two-storey semi-circular projection.

Most windows are mullioned and transomed, with some having 8-pane glazing. The gables have decorative detailing and finials. Original rainwater pipes and downpipes are present, and rainheads serving the south elevation are decorated with figures of winged beings. Corniced stacks rise from the roof, which is covered in slate.

Smaller, round bullfaced turrets with crenellated parapets flank the entrance to the courtyard. Ornate wrought-iron carriage gates and a smaller flanking pedestrian gate provide access.

The interior includes a large entrance hall with an ornate Baroque chimneypiece decorated with figures and foliage, and a wide staircase with a Tudor balustrade featuring heavy carved detailing. The library has a rich Jacobean plaster ceiling and a carved wood chimneypiece in a similar style, along with original break-front bookcases. A first-floor drawing room is executed in an Adamesque style. Throughout the castle, fine panelled doors, moulded doorcases, and plaster ceilings are present.

The castle was built on the site of, and possibly incorporating, the former Culrain Lodge. It now operates as a Youth Hostel. The statutory address for Carbisdale Castle and its entrance gates is Carbisdale Castle.