I thought I would take a quick return to my previous travels and look at one of my favorite places in the Highlands: Dunnottar Castle.
Yes, there is some time lapse photography in this image but it really does look like that at sunset and sunrise. Given the right time of year, its stunning place to watch the some come up. In the two 30 day vacations I took in Scotland, I think I must have gone there at least twice. I took the London sleeper all the way up and sight like this were all too common. It felt like the land of Harry Potter come to life
Located just below the outlined city limits of Aberdeen on the coast you’ll find Dunnottar Castle.Its a lovely train trip up which if you take the sleeper will leave you refreshed. It will make for an even more amazing site when you get there.
This place dates back all the way to the 6th century but the buildings you see start from the 13th century. Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace (Braveheart), King Charles II, and others have come through here. It was never a real fortress but it served as one and a residence many times over. I wish I still had the photo but I did take one of me sitting atop that arch in the middle of the picture 
The place is all at once spooky and magical. You actually have to walk down between the mainland and the castle proper. When you get to the bottom at look up it looks even more formidable. With cliffs all around, it would seem impregnable. Truth is, the ruins are the result of time and Oliver Cromwell’s bombardment. Not all that impregnable
As you can see, its about 800 feet from top to bottom. I believe at one time the water was high and made it even more trickier proposition getting to the castle gate. I have always wanted to get into a boat, going around on the water to get a different view of it. This pic is a good example of what the shore is like in that region. Rugged all the way up and down the coast. Awesome views.
This pic is beautiful and it gives you an excellent idea of what a challenge it was to get to the castle proper. I had to walk down from the road where this pic was taken and then walk up the path to the stairs in the left foreground. It wasnt a difficult climb but I wouldn’t want to do it while arrows and boiling oil was flying my way
In case you want a little history, check out Wikipedia.
Hope you enjoyed this little Friday diversion. Happy weekend to all my friends. You know who you are
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Wayne,
I miss the Highlands more than the natives me thinks. Its been a long time since roaming the gloamin
Thanks, Azra. I spent a total of 60 days in Scotland and a good day just climbing over this spot. Dunnottar is over on the east coast. I spent most of my time in the west where the hills are glorious. I will do a bit on Glen Nevis, Ullapool, and Isle of Mull in time.
One of these days I’d like to get there. My wife has numerous cousins there, but we have to get a passport issue resolved for her first as she changed her name after she got her first one.
Simply spectacular. I love places with rich histories… and I could spend days just marvelling with wonder at how people lived in that time… gosh, I wish I was there now! Hope your weekend was good
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Gorgeous photos, Dean! My son and his wife Kate adored Scotland. I’ve never been, but want to go. (I always get stuck in Paris!)
I hope you and yours are safe with the coming storm. Take care!
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