Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire - Scotland's Coastal Gem

Imagine a place where history whispers on the wind, where the very stones tell tales of long-ago times. That, you know, is the feeling you get when you come across Dunnottar Castle. This amazing old fortress, now a beautiful ruin, stands on a rocky piece of land that reaches out into the sea on Scotland's northeast coast. It's just a little way, about three kilometers, south of Stonehaven, in a part of Scotland called Aberdeenshire. It really is quite a sight to behold.

The buildings you see there today are mostly from the 1400s and 1500s, but people think this spot was made strong and ready for defense much, much earlier, back in the early part of the Middle Ages. The name "Dunnottar," which was once "Dun Fother," probably meant something like "fort in the low country." This makes sense, too it's almost, because the castle sits in an area known as the Mearns, which is the land east of the Grampian highlands, between Montrose and Stonehaven.

This spot, with its old castle on a piece of land that juts out, seems to have been where some truly important things happened in history. It's a place that has seen a lot, and it definitely has a captivating feel, showing off Scotland's medieval past. You can easily find Dunnottar Castle just off the main A92 road, the one that goes between Stonehaven and Montrose, less than two miles south of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. For those who like to be kind to the planet, it is often a good idea to use public transport or take a walk from the nearby town of Stonehaven.

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Table of Contents

• A Look at Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire
• What Makes Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire So Special?
• How Do You Get to Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire?
• Who Were the Keiths at Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire?
• A Walk Through Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire
• What Stories Does Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire Tell?
• Exploring the Coastline Around Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire
• Visiting Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire

A Look at Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire

Dunnottar Castle, a truly striking and evocative ruined fortress, stands on the northeastern coast of Scotland, not far from the town of Stonehaven in what was once the Grampian region. It's perched on a very rugged piece of land that sticks out into the North Sea, and on either side, the land drops straight down to the water far below. This provides a natural way to keep it safe and creates a truly breathtaking scene that has captured the hearts of many who visit. It is, in a way, one of Scotland's most striking and romantic ruined castles, a place that just feels full of old stories.

The castle's story goes way back, to the early Middle Ages, with some signs of even older activity from the Pictish people. This spot, with its land that sticks out into the sea, gives some of Scotland's most amazing sea views. The land itself, about 160 feet high, is made up of rocks and pebbles, forming the very ground upon which this historical place stands. It really is quite an impressive ruin, sitting on a great rocky piece of land.

What Makes Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire So Special?

What makes Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire, so special is its dramatic position. It sits right on top of a very rough cliff, looking out over the North Sea. This makes it one of Scotland's most breathtaking places to see. The way it's built, with its natural defenses, gives it a feeling of strength and age. It's a place that truly shows off the history of Scotland, with a captivating feel that pulls you in. You can almost feel the old stories of romance, intrigue, and even trickery in the air.

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The sheer scale of the castle, considering its location, is quite something. It's not just a small building; it's a vast and impressive ruin that seems to grow out of the very rock it sits upon. The way the land drops so sharply to the water below means that, basically, it was very hard for anyone to attack it from the sea. This natural protection, combined with the efforts of those who built and lived there, made it a very important stronghold for many years.

How Do You Get to Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire?

Getting to Dunnottar Castle, located near Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, is part of the adventure. As mentioned, it's just off the main A92 road. For those who like to travel in a way that's gentle on the environment, using public transport or taking a walk from the nearby town of Stonehaven is a very good suggestion. This commitment to "green tourism" is something they really want to support. The walk from Stonehaven itself is quite pleasant, offering views as you get closer to the castle.

Once you arrive near the castle, the path to get inside is quite an experience. A steep way leads down the side of the cliff and then back up to the main entrance gate. This gate, you know, was protected by large openings for guns from the guardroom, showing how seriously they took keeping the place safe. It’s a bit of a climb, but the views along the way are pretty amazing.

Who Were the Keiths at Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire?

The Keith family played a very big part in the story of Dunnottar Castle, which is, in some respects, quite a central piece of its past. Their main home was at a place called Kintore for a while. Then, in the year 1392, a man named Keith made a deal with William, Lord Lindsay of the Byres. This William Lindsay had married Keith's daughter, Christian. The deal involved exchanging some lands in the areas of Fife and Stirling for the "crag of Dunnottar" in Kincardineshire.

It was here, on this very crag, that William Keith built the well-known castle of Dunnottar. He made it his main place of strength, his chief fortress. This family, the Keiths, were the Earls Marischal, and the castle became their family seat. One notable person was William Keith, the 4th Earl Marischal, who lived from 1506 to 1581 and was a Scottish nobleman and politician. He was born and passed away in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, which shows the deep connection the family had to this area and, basically, to the castle itself. The castle was held by the Keith Earls Marischal for a very long time, which is part of its story.

A Walk Through Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire

Once you've made your way down the cliffside path and up to the entrance gate of Dunnottar Castle, which is near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire, the journey inside continues. The way leads through two tunnels, which really add to the sense of entering a hidden world. After passing through these tunnels, you come out into a grassy open area, a courtyard. To the north side of this courtyard, there was even a place for bowling, which is quite interesting to think about.

Walking through these old stones, you can feel the weight of centuries. The castle itself, even as a ruin, gives off a captivating feeling of Scotland's medieval past. The way it's laid out, with different sections and buildings, suggests a place that was once bustling with life, a very busy stronghold. It’s a truly impressive place to walk around, and you can easily spend time just imagining what life was like here, centuries ago.

What Stories Does Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire Tell?

Dunnottar Castle, which sits near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire, is full of stories. It played a very important part in the Scottish Wars of Independence. For example, it was here that William Wallace's troops won a very important battle against the English. This victory, you know, was a big moment in Scotland's fight for freedom. The castle also famously faced a very tough time in 1651 when it was surrounded and attacked, a significant event in its long history.

The castle is also said to have a haunted past, adding another layer to its already rich collection of tales. This 14th-century coastal castle, sitting near Stonehaven, is a place where history isn't just read in books; it feels like it's still very much alive in the air around you. Every stone, every view, seems to hold a piece of these old stories, from battles to everyday life, and, basically, the long history of the Keith family who called it home for so long.

Exploring the Coastline Around Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire

The area around Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire, offers more than just the castle itself. The dramatic coastline is a sight to behold. You could, for instance, consider booking a tour with Stonehaven Paddleboarding. This gives you a chance to explore the amazing coast between Stonehaven harbour and Dunnottar Castle from a completely different angle, which is pretty cool.

From the water, you can really enjoy the beautiful sea cliffs, discover hidden caves and coves, and even see waterfalls. It provides a unique and completely different way to look at Dunnottar Castle, seeing it from the sea, which is how many might have approached it in times gone by. This perspective truly highlights how well-chosen its spot was for defense, and, you know, how stunning the natural surroundings are.

Visiting Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven Kincardineshire

Dunnottar Castle, a truly vast and impressive ruin perched on a great rocky headland, is regularly open for people to visit. This means that its captivating feeling of Scotland’s medieval past is something many can experience for themselves. The castle, which is a parish in the county of Kincardine, includes the village of Crawton and a part of the town of Stonehaven.

To find out more about this stunning place, you can visit Stonehaven. The castle's history, full of romance, intrigue, and even some deception, is waiting for you to discover. It’s a place that has been distinguished as the scene of some very important events connected with history, and, really, it continues to captivate visitors with its beauty and its many tales.