Location
On a rocky coastal promontory about two miles south of Stonehaven
Stonehaven, Kincardine
OS Map Reference
NO 881 838
Date
Various
Description
The castle; probably occupies the site of a prehistoric fort. St Ninian established a church here about the beginning of the 5thC. It may also be the -Dunfoithir- besieged in 681. In the reign of William the Lion (1165-1214) -Dunnottar- was the place where warrants were returnable for the Mearns, and -le castiel de Dunostre- is mentioned at the beginning of the 13thC. Another castle was erected at the end of the 14thC. In its final form the castle was forfeited in 1716 and the roofs and floors removed and sold. In 1925 the systematic repair and excavation of the ruins was begun.In its present form the extensive remains date from various periods. The oldest portion is the early 15thC keep with a range of buildings extending to the E containing stables & storehouses. The gatehouse is approached by a steep path and defended by three tiers of splayed gun-loops. The arched entrance is the only opening on a solid wall of masonry set into a cleft in the rock; a very impressive and dominating entrance. The buildings to the NW grouped round a courtyard date from the late 16th or early 17thC, including a chapel. A huge water system lies within the courtyard. There is also a bowling green to the W of this later range. The Scottish Crown jewels (The Honours of Scotland) were hidden here in 1651 as it was considered one of the strongest places in the kingdom. In 1685 167 Covenanters were packed into a small vault, (the Whigs Vault) where 9 died due to the terrible conditions. Privately owned (Dunecht Estates) and open to the public. An oval motte was noted in 1970.
Related Information
For general external/internal views of the site see the external links. The heraldic plaque in the photograph is dated 1645 and located in master bedroom.
Era
Various
Information Source
Aberdeenshire Sites and Monuments Record www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/archaeology/smr/
Related Artefacts
Categories
Iconography
- heraldic motifs
External Links
- Dunnottar in Wikipedia
- The BBC page on Dunnottar as a Pictish fortress
- Dunnottar Castle on Castles.org
- Dunnottar castle on undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Photographer
- Martin Sim
Unavailable Data
- Creator
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