Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland, about two miles south of Stonehaven. The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public.
The ruins of the castle are spread over 3.5 acres, surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 160 ft below. A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse. The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument and twelve structures on the site are listed buildings.



Today we set out to check out a coastal walk from Inverbervie to Johnshaven and back. We started out in a strong wind, unfortunately in our faces. The walk didn't prove to be very interesting, apart from passing through the village of Gourdon, which had a nice harbour. When we got to Johnshaven we decided this was not a suitable walk for the club, and abandoned it and took a bus back to Inverbervie.

Had a coffee in a nice little coffee shop, and had a think. Decided to head up to Stonehaven, and looked at walking around there. One of the guys had walked in the area and knew a walk which would finish in Stonehaven, and taking in Dunnottar Castle which will be of great interest. So we have settled for that and spent some time around the area checking out start and finish and looking at the castle area.

From there we headed down to Dundee and had a meal before heading home. A hard few days for the guys who organise our walks, but most satisfactory.