Caisteal a’ Bharraich

Castle Varrich is steeped in enigma. Was it the ‘Beruvik‘ where Thorfinn waged a sea battle in the eleventh century; a residence of medieval bishops; an early stronghold of the Mackays; or a reconstruction on much older foundations? This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and the imposing wooded rock on which Varrich stands is an obvious feature to dominate the kyle. Varrich is the anglicised name — ‘Bh’ being pronounced very much like ‘V’.

Its name, too, is elusive, but a plausible interpretation is that Caisteal a’ Bharraich means the castle of the Lochaber Man. A cave beneath the tower is known as Leabaidh Eòin Abraich, ‘bed of Lochaber’s John’. Abraich may have transformed into Bharraich.