CASTLE VARRICH (Caisteal Bharraich) Castle   Varrich   (Caisteal   Bharraich)   is   a   prominent ruined   tower   house   or   castle   in   a   superb   position overlooking   the   Kyle   of   Tongue   and   Tongue   village in the north Scottish Highlands. Nothing   is   known   for   certain   about   the   history   of Castle   Varrich,   though   it   is   said   to   have   been   the ancient    seat    of    the    chief    of    the    Clan    Mackay. Castle   Varrich   appears   to   have   been   built   using   a drystone   technique,   with   walls   generally   at   least 5ft   thick,   and   the   location   suggests   it   was   a   watch tower of some description. There   are   believed   to   be   caves   under   the   castle which   were   once   inhabited   by   the   Mackays   and that   the   Mackays   may   have   built   their   castle   on   the   site   in   the   14 th C,   on   top   of   an   existing   old   Norse   fort,   old   dun or   broch.   It   could   have   been   a   vantage   point   associated   with   the   Mackay   tower   and   house   (replaced   in   the   17 th C by the House of Tongue) which was just north of Tongue and low on the coast. The   castle   had   two   floors   plus   an   attic   under   a   timber   roof.   The   ground   floor   was   entered   through   an   existing door   on   the   north   wall   and   may   have   been   used   as   stables   as   there   were   no   stairs   between   the   two   floors.   The upper   floor   entrance   was   on   the   south   side   and   would   most   likely   have   been   accessed   by   a   ladder   or   removable stair.   There   was   a   window   in   the   east   wall   and   a   fireplace   in   the   west,   but   both   have   now   collapsed   past recognition.