Wednesday 13 March 2024

1st Viscount Thurso

THE SINCLAIR BARONETS, VISCOUNTS THURSO, WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, WITH 78,053 ACRES


PATRICK SINCLAIR, one of two sons of the Hon William Sinclair, of Mey, by Margaret, daughter of Magnus Mowat, of Balquhollie, second son of 4th Earl of Caithness, acquired Ulbster in 1596 from his cousin, 5th Earl of Caithness.

He died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother, 

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, who married firstly, Jean Chisholm, and had, with other issue,
PATRICK, his heir.
He wedded secondly, Katherine Stewart, natural daughter of Robert, Earl of Orkney, son of JAMES V, King of Scots, and by her had issue,
John, of Tannach.
John Sinclair of Ulbster was succeeded by his eldest son,

PATRICK SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, who espoused, in 1647, Elizabeth, daughter of John Mackay, of Strathy, and had issue,
JOHN, his heir;
George (Sir);
Mary.
The elder son,

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster, married Janet, daughter of William Sinclair, of Rattar, and in 1709 entailed his estates on his first cousin, John Sinclair, of Brims, before mentioned, and other heirs.

His cousin and successor,

JOHN SINCLAIR, of Ulbster and Brims, wedded Jean, daughter of Sir George Monro, of Newmore, and had, with other issue,
JOHN, his heir;
Jean.
His eldest son,

JOHN SINCLAIR (1691-1736), of Ulbster, Heritable Sheriff of the County of Caithness, who married, in 1714, Henrietta, daughter of George Brodie, and had issue,
GEORGE, his heir;
James;
John;
Emilia.
Mr Sinclair was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE SINCLAIR, who wedded Janet, daughter of William, Lord Strathnaver, and had issue,
JOHN, his heir;
Helen; Mary; Janet.
Mr Sinclair died in 1766, and was succeeded by his son,

THE RT HON SIR JOHN SINCLAIR (1754-1835), of Ulbster and Thurso Castle, who espoused firstly, in 1776, Sarah, daughter of Alexander Maitland, of Stoke Newington, by whom he had a daughter, Janet; and secondly, in 1788, Diana, daughter of Alexander, 1st Baron Macdonald, and had issue,
GEORGE, his successor;
Alexander;
John;
Archibald;
William;
James;
Elizabeth Diana; Margaret; Julia; Catherine; Helen.
Mr Sinclair was created a baronet in 1786, designated of Ulbster.

Sir John Sinclair, 1st Baronet (Image: Highland Council)

Sir John was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR GEORGE SINCLAIR (1790-1868), 2nd Baronet, of Ulbster, who wedded, in 1816, Catherine, daughter of William, Lord Huntingtower, and had issue,

SIR JOHN GEORGE TOLLEMACHE SINCLAIR DL MP (1825-1912), 3rd Baronet, of Ulbster, who married, in 1853, Emma Isabella Harriet, daughter of William Standish Standish.

His grandson,

THE RT HON SIR ARCHIBALD HENRY MacDONALD SINCLAIR (1890-1970), 4th Baronet, KT, CMG, JP, of Ulbster, espoused, in 1918, Marigold, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel James Stewart Forbes.

Sir Archibald was elevated to the peerage, in 1952, in the dignity of VISCOUNT THURSO, of Ulbster in the County of Caithness.
The heir apparent is the present holder's son, the Hon James Alexander Robin Sinclair.

THE CASTLE, Thurso, Caithness, was built in the 1870s by the architect David Smith for Sir Tollemache Sinclair, 3rd Baronet, replacing the original castle of about 1660.

The Victorian castle was built in the style of a French chateau close to the shore on the east of the river mouth.

During the 2nd World War, a sea mine exploded nearby and the castle became structurally unsafe.

Consequently, much of it was demolished to make it safe in 1952.


The contractor who had the job of taking the roof off and demolishing other parts to make it safe was paid by being allowed to keep the lead from the roof.

What is left standing shows the height and number of floors that made it a very impressive structure given its position on the coast where it could be seen a long way off.

Its position gave it marvellous views over Thurso Bay.

Other residence ~ Fotheringay House, Montpelier Row, Twickenham, Middlesea.

First published in November, 2013.

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