RAIT CASTLE SAVING A RARE HALL HOUSE

Rait Castle was the ancient seat of Sir Gervaise de Rait, who was constable of Nairn Castle in the 1290s. It is not actually a castle, but a rare example of a ‘hall house’, a style common in the 13th century, and one of only a few still standing today, although a ruin, it exhibits features not found elsewhere.

Following a site visit in late 2019 (with Joss Durnan from Historic Enviornment Scotland, Rachel Bromby of Cawdor Estate, and others), I prepared a report at the request of Lord Cawdor of Cawdor Estate, with a view to preserving the structure which has undergone, and is still undergoing, a gradual and slow