Castle Varrich Walk

The Castle Varrich Walk climbs from the village of Tongue to a dramatic ruined tower house perched on a wooded hill above the Kyle of Tongue, its precise origins uncertain — theories range from an 11th-century Norse fort to a stronghold of Clan Mackay, whose chiefs used the site as their power base for centuries.

The route starts from parking in the centre of Tongue, opposite the Ben Loyal Hotel. A signed footpath for Castle Varrich heads off the main A838, passing through trees before briefly joining and then leaving a tarmac lane. Through a gate, a surfaced path — wide as a track in places — crosses the Rhian Burn via a wooden footbridge and begins a zig-zag ascent through Varrich Woods, an attractive mix of birch, sycamore, ash, and oak, with three benches along the way offering a chance to catch your breath and enjoy the views back over Tongue.

The path eventually reaches a fenced bealach with a dramatic view down to the Kyle of Tongue, before two separate paths lead up the short final pitch to the castle keep itself. The ruins have been stabilised and restored by local landowners Wildland Ltd with support from Historic Environment Scotland, and an iron spiral staircase now allows visitors to climb safely to a viewing platform, with sweeping views over the Kyle and towards Ben Loyal and Ben Hope on a clear day.

This is a short but genuinely rewarding walk, manageable by most reasonably fit visitors including families, though the final approach to the castle is steep and can be slippery when wet, and the exposed viewing platform at the top can feel considerably colder and windier than the sheltered village below.

Parking in Tongue is free; a bus service runs to Tongue from Thurso.