Dunnottar Castle
Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
Castle Canmore HES
Also known as Dunottar Castle; Dunnotar Castle; Dunfoithir; Le Castiel De Dunostre

Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, is an extremely impressive sight standing on massive coastal rock with precipitous cliffs.

This has been a defensive site since at least the 7th century and probably longer. However, the oldest portion of what now stands probably dates back to the 1400s with many of the buildings dating to around 1600.

St Ninian retreated here and built a chapel in Pictish times. William Wallace also come here (and burned St Ninian's chapel and the wooden castle that stood at the time). The Scottish Crown Jewels were held here whilst Oliver Cromwell laid seige for eight months; when the heavy artillery arrived the regalia were lowered over one of the seaward cliffs and sneaked away. Damage from the seige is still very visible.

Mary Queen of Scots also stayed here - of course.

Images ©2004 Martin McCarthy, Theasis Photography

Nearby Sites

5km Kempstone Hill Standing Stones
16km Cairnfauld Stone Circle Stone Circle
17km Ninestanes Recumbent Stone Circle Stone Circle (Recumbent)
18km Eslie the Greater Stone Circle (Recumbent); Ring Cairn
(NB: All distances are as-the-crow-flies. Lochs, mountains and beautiful winding roads will make it further. Sometimes much further.)