Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky outcrop on the north-east coast of Scotland, about two miles south of Stonehaven (only a 20 minute drive from Aberdeen). Dunnottar Castle was the home of the Earls Marischal of Scotland, once one of the most powerful families in the land. Its recognizable architecture is 13th century, but an earlier castle was built on this site by Caledonian tribes by 84 AD. The site, now owned by private interests but open to the public, is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Even if there was no castle at Dunnottar, the site would immediately catch the eye--the ruins of the castle are spread over a three acre area of enormous flat-topped rock virtually surrounded by sheer cliffs which drop to the North Sea 160ft below.

There were only two ways in or out of Dunnottar Castle. The first was via the well defended main gate set in a cleft in the rock where attackers could be assaulted by defenders from all directions. At this location is the imposing gatehouse with apparent medieval defensive devices lurking for attackers treading up the cobblestone entrance road. The second access is through a rocky cove, the aperture to a marine cave on the north side of the Dunnottar cliffs. From here a steep path leads to the cliff atop which is the well fortified postern gate. The Castle is accessed via a narrow strip of land joining the mainland and a steep path leading up to the massive gatehouse. If the outline is a little familiar, this may be because Dunnottar Castle was the location for the 1990 film version of Hamlet starring Mel Gibson.

A twisted tree along the path to Dunnottar Castle.

Dunnottar Forrest

In front of the Castle. It was really windy and cold.
Yes, places this beautiful really do exist. The pictures hardly do justice.
My friends Bryan and Jenn

I would just like to point out the the scarf I'm wearing was knitted by my mom, who is exceedingly awesome.

Jenn and I, in a small crack between two cliffs at the bottom of the Castle.

Stairs leading up and leading down to the Castle door.

Once we finally got to the Castle door we found that it was locked!! Can you believe the nerve of them to lock us out! I guess it would have been smart to check the hours of operation before starting the exploration.

I tired to break in. Didn't work...*sigh*...Maybe next time.