1) We require funding to deal with immediate safety concerns surrounding the fenceline at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe which runs along the visitor footpath. In addition to this we wish to 'kick start' a larger project of conservation with the production of a fabric condition survey and phased scheme of conservation. 

2) There are a number of reasons why this is important to our community site:

• A new fenceline will help to keep visitors safe, especially at the area around Maney Geo and towards Sandy Geo. Visitors to the castle are often tempted to go 'off-piste' towards these areas, where there is currently no fencing. The landscape here is are characterised by treacherous cliffs and lumpy, bumpy and slippy terrain. In July 2026 one individual had to be rescued from this area having fallen and injured his ankle. CSGT are keen to ensure that injuries are kept to a minimum. 
• By replacing the fence here, we will also help the overall 'look' of the castle. The fenceline is several years old now, and is very much dilapidated, with rotted strainers, loose wire, and areas where there is no fence at all - meaning that the area looks uglier and untended. By improving the fenceline, we afford the monument with activity and care, meaning that visitors will have a reinforced understanding this is a place of real importance and meaning to the community.
• The fenceline forms a small part of a wider plan to ensure not only the safety of the castle, but its very existence. It has been over 20 years since any major programme of conservation has been carried out, and so CSGT wish to be proactive, and ensure that the Castle can continue to delight visitors for years to come. In order to ensure it is preserved for generations, we wish to have a fabric condition survey and phased scheme of conservation undertaken for the castle. This will help to identify any faults and damage, as well as prioritise a means of conserving the castle, including areas which could potentially be opened up to the public. 

All of the above means that Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a safer and more welcoming place. In the short term, this improves visitors' perceptions of the castle, and, by extension, the county. Positive visits means an increase in the likelihood of recommondations and repeat visits - which serves to bolster the tourist economy. This directly links into the Caithness Area Place Plan, which highlighted "unrealised opportunities" in Caithness, and "the need to develop more attractions for locals and tourists and ensure the County is seen as a destination". This view is also shared by young people, who noted the important of "making the most of what Caithness has to offer through promoting attractions". 

By investing in our heritage, CSGT hopes to make a positive contribution to both the heritage and tourist potential of the area - helping to deliver a stronger, more prosperous Caithness. 

3) We expect a number of positive outcomes from this project:

• We expect that the area will be made safer, and so there will be a reduction in accidents at the Castle.
• We expect that visitors perception of the castle will be improved
• We will have a better idea of project costs and requirements
• We expect that more people will be aware of the project once we have obtained the results of the fabric condition survey and phased scheme of conservation
• We expect that more people will want to support CSGT once we have achieved the above, making our own organisation more resilient

4) In only a few months we have formed the new Castle Sinclair Girnigoe Trust as a charity, with several experienced, skilled and well-regarded locals recruited to take the project forward. We have created a bank account and we are in the process of conveyancing the castle from Clan Sinclair Trust and expect to own the castle by the end of the year.

We have obtained a quote from a local trusted tradesman who was responsible for a similar project at Keiss Castle in 2025, and we have liaised with Historic Environment Scotland for guidance in selecting a conservation architect who will be responsible for the production of the fabric condition survey and phased scheme of conservation.

Our next steps are to develop a social media presence and website and to announce the organisation and its intentions to the wider public. 

5) We expect to start in early 2027, with a completion date of April 2027.