Welcome to the Castletown Heritage Society website

Castletown Heritage Society is a community group established in 1986 'To preserve the character, history and traditions of the Village of Castletown and Parish of Olrig.'

Located on the most northernly coast on the mainland of Scotland, Castletown in Caithness is frequently referred to as the 'Flagstone Village' reflecting its association with the quarrying and export of high quality flagstone as paving and construction material by the 18th century improver and founder of the Castlehill flagstone industry, James Traill. Important though the flagstone industry was, Castletown and the surrounding Parish of Olrig has a much bigger story to tell, revealing a rich and diverse social, enconomic and archeological heritage stretching from its earliest origins in pre-history as evidenced by chambered cairns, the impact of Viking habitation, the strategic role played by RAF Castletown in the defence of Scapa Flow and the north British coastal waters during World War II, to more recent times as home to one of the most advanced freezer manufacturing facilities in Europe, Icetech Freezers Ltd.

Castletown Heritage Society seeks to bring this story to life, and in doing so preserve the unique character, history and traditions of the village of Castletown and the Parish of Olrig. You are invited to explore our website, which tries to give a flavour of our activities, achievements to date and our aspirations for the future.

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Castletown Heritage Society is a registered charity (SCO 27858)

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