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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Caithness Tower

    Overview of memorial

    Source: Copyright Neil Thompson

    1/6

    Current Location

    Caithness Tower, North Head, on the North Head footpath, off Proudfoot Road, Wick, Caithness, Highlands and Islands, KW1 4PQ, Scotland

    OS Grid Reference

    ND 37511 50979

    View location on Google Maps

    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-58286

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    Type of Memorial
    Tower
    WMR Reference Number
    58286
    Description
    A 2-stage commemorative square-plan tower, with a castellated parapet and a small square turret or cap house at the southwest corner. It is built of coursed Caithness sandstone rubble which is now rendered (2017). There are blind sandstone slab windows to all elevations. There is an arched entrance to the southwest elevation (partially blocked, 2017) with an inscription panel above: To perpetuate the patriotism of those natives of Caithness who served their country on land and sea. Many of their names, rescued from forgetfulness, are preserved for posterity in this memorial tower. "Their names are here: their deeds are in the histories of the world." 1909. There are inscriptions commemorating various battles, such as at Camperdown, Trafalgar, and Waterloo, on the remaining elevations. The interior was seen in 2017. There is a concrete floor at ground level and no floor structure at the first storey. A square hatch through a ceiling of stone flags gives access to the turret and roof. A detailed list of 400 veterans, compiled over four years by the Rev John Horne, was placed in a casket and laid in the floor inside the tower. John Horne was the driving force behind the memorial tower project.
    Inscription
    TO/ PERPETUATE THE PATRIOTISM/ OF THOSE/ NATIVES OF CAITHNESS/ WHO/ SERVED THEIR COUNTRY/ ON/ LAND AND SEA./ MANY OF THEIR NAMES, RESCUED/ FROM FORGETFULNESS, ARE/ PRESERVED FOR POSTERITY IN/ THIS MEMORIAL TOWER./ "Their names are here:/ their deeds are in the histories/ of the world."/ 1909/ CAMPERDOWN/ TRAFALGAR/ THE NILE/ ST VINCENT/ THE BALTIC/ ABOURKIR/ THE NORE/ CHINA/ WATERLOO/ SALAMANCA/ TOULOUSE/ LUCKNOW/ ALMA/ INKERMAN/ SEVASTOPOL/ (Unknown)/ (Unknown)/ KANDAHAR/ CHITRAL/ EGYPT/ AFGHANISTAN/ ZULULAND.
    War
    Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
    War
    Crimean War (1853-1856)
    War
    Indian Mutiny (1857-1858)
    War
    Boer War; Second (1899-1902)
    War
    First and Second Anglo-Afghan Wars (1839-1842 and 1878-1880)
    War
    Egypt and the Sudan (1882-1899)
    War
    Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
    Sponsor Type
    public
    Sponsored By
    Sinclair family

    Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    25 September 1909

    Lady Sinclair

    Components

    Tower

    Height: 10000mm


    Made from: Stone - Caithness


    Condition: Good


    Historic England

    Grade: II*

    List Entry: LB52451

    Scottish Grade C

    Roll of honour

    Made from: Unknown


    Condition: Unknown


    Casket / Box

    Made from: Unknown


    Condition: Unknown


    • http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB52451
    • BUILDINGS OF SCOTLAND by GIFFORD, JOHN P 141 HIghlands (1992) Source: Image Library