New Slains Castle

New Slains Castle is a ruined fortress built from granite that stands on a cliff overlooking the North Sea. The building has a square base with a hexagonal inner courtyard, and though its walls have crumbled over time, they still reveal the original architectural layout.

Construction began in 1594 following the destruction of an earlier castle, and the new fortress served as a residence for the Earls of Erroll. The family abandoned the property in the early 1900s, after which the structure gradually deteriorated into the ruins seen today.

The castle served as the seat of the Earls of Erroll and shaped the region's social life as a noble stronghold for centuries. Visitors can still trace the layout of living quarters and imagine how an aristocratic family once inhabited this clifftop residence.

The site is reachable via a coastal walking path from Cruden Bay village, which is well-marked and open to visitors year-round. Parking is available near the village center, and the walk to the ruins takes about 20 minutes.

Author Bram Stoker visited the area in 1895 and may have drawn inspiration from the fortress and the harsh coastal landscape for his novel Dracula. The connection remains uncertain, but the isolated setting and architecture do align with the darker elements of the story.

Location: Aberdeenshire

Location: Cruden

Inception: 1594

Architects: John Smith

GPS coordinates: 57.41539,-1.83230

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:06