Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle translated from the Scottish Gaelic Dun Fhoithear means "fort on a descending slope". He played a central role in turning points in Scottish history. Dunnottar combines attractive appearance and historical significance, and the attraction often captivates the imagination of visitors on holiday abroad. The building is located approximately 20 kilometers south of Aberdeen, on the Scottish coast, near the city of Stonehaven.

Natural protection

Dunnottar Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the Stonehaven coastline. The red sandstone island is surrounded by the choppy North Sea and was once connected to the mainland by a natural causeway called Fiddlehead. However, to protect the medieval castle from attack, the natural route through Fiddlehead was deliberately blocked. Instead, a new access road was cut into the rocks. This deep, narrow entrance was designed to be a deterrent for any potential intruder. This is because of its winding path, blind corners, and 26-foot tunnel with an arrow loop that would allow archers to defend the area.

For the independence of Scotland

Dunnottar Castle has played an important role in many important moments in Scottish history. The Terrible Edward I, King of England from 1272 to 1307, is widely known as the Hammer of the Scots. After successfully conquering Wales, Edward planned to conquer Scotland and consolidate his power in the British Isles. In 1297, William Wallace led a Scottish rebellion against English invasion and besieged Dunnottar Castle, which is currently held by English forces.

Frightened by the advance of Wallace's troops, about 4,000 English soldiers took refuge in a stone chapel inside Dunnottar Castle ─ naively believing that shelter in the church would save them from death. Wallace's army sacked the castle and set fire to the church, burning those inside alive. Some, of course, managed to escape, but their only option was to jump off the steep cliffs into the raging sea.

Currently, Dunnottar Castle is almost completely destroyed. It was badly damaged during Oliver Cromwell's bombing campaign and it was not until 1925 that conservation work began. One of the most interesting ruins is the Tower House - literally a small castle inside a large castle, it allows you to see what the building looked like in the Middle Ages.