Photo: Dunnottar Castle by Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Dunnottar Castle sits on a rocky headland two miles south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, with cliffs dropping 160 feet to the North Sea on three sides.
The ruined medieval fortress was the stronghold of the Earls Marischal, once among the most powerful families in Scotland.
It is best known for sheltering the Honours of Scotland, the country's crown jewels, from Oliver Cromwell's army in the 1650s.
The castle is privately owned and run by Dunecht Estates, and is open to visitors.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The Keith family held Dunnottar from the 14th century as seat of the Earl Marischal, building the tower house that still stands and adding a palace range in the 16th century. Following the Jacobite rising of 1715, the castle's fortunes changed significantly and it fell into disrepair. It was later restored and opened to the public.
Architecture
The ruins cover around 1.4 hectares and include a 14th-century tower house alongside a 16th-century palace block. The site is a scheduled ancient monument.
Worth knowing
William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots are both recorded as having visited Dunnottar. The castle's role in hiding the Honours of Scotland from Cromwell's forces remains its most celebrated episode.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Stonehaven Rail Station (1.8 miles)
Nearby properties