Castletown, Highland

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Castletown
gaelic_name=
population= 798 [cite web|publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online|title =Comparative Population Profile: Castletown Locality | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=castletown&mainLevel=Locality | date = 2001-04-29| accessdate =2008-09-01 ] (2001 census)
est. 800 [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data] (2006)
os_grid_reference= ND196678
latitude=58.59
longitude=-3.38
unitary_scotland= Highland
lieutenancy_scotland= Caithness
constituency_westminster= Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
constituency_scottish_parliament= Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency in the Highlands and Islands electoral region
post_town= THURSO
postcode_district = KW14
postcode_area= KW
dial_code= 01847

Castletown is a village on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. It is within the historic parish of Olrig, where it is the main settlement, and within the historic county of Caithness. The A836 links the village with Thurso and Tongue in the west and with John o' Groats in the east. The B876-A99 links the village with Wick in the southeast.

Much of the village is built on the old townland (or fermland) of Stanergill. The Stanergill Burn was the eastern boundary of the townland. It flows now through the eastern end of the village and so into Dunnet Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The name "Stanergill" can be read as meaning "Stone Valley" and much of Castletown was built during the 19th century boom years of Caithness as a source of flagstone. Much of the stone was processed in the harbour area of the village, known as Castlehill, and many of the streets of London, Sydney, Edinburgh & the financial district of New York City are paved with it. The harbour was built by James Bremner. Castletown's main building is the 'Drill Hall'. This is mainly used for parties, discos and small clubs such as the indoor bowls. The building that was used for these functions was the 'Traill Hall', a gift to the Village by the Traill family, owners of the flagstone quarry at Castlehill. Traill House, a large & imposing country home was the home of the Traill family, it was located in the woods at Castlehill, in later years it was owned by the Crumb-Ewing family, it became delelict after WW2 & burned down in the late 50's. The remains of the gatehouse can be seen on the side of the A836 at Castlehill plantation.

More modern industry in the village includes manufacture of domestic food storage freezers, the firm used to be known as Norfrost Ltd but is now called IceTech Ltd, employing local people & many Polish workers.

Local government

Castletown is in the Landward Caithness ward of the Highland Council. The ward elects four councillors by the single transferable vote system of election, which produces a form of proportional representation. It is one of seven wards within the council's Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross corporate management area and one of 22 wards within the council area.

Sport

Castletown has a football team, Castletown FC. The pitch is regarded as the best in Caithness and Sutherland, and many Highland finals are held at the venue.

Facilities

Castletown has a small hotel, The St Clair, a guest house, Greenland House, a well-stocked licensed grocers, an Indian Takeaway, a fish & chip shop, a Chinese takeaway, a garden centre, a garage with petrol pumps, a hairdressers, a craft shop, a primary school with nursery & a branch of the RBS, which is open Mondays, Wedensdays & Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Most businesses are located on the main street, the A836.

References

External links

* [http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk Castletown Heritage Society]