Dunnottar Castle, Medieval fortress in Stonehaven, Scotland
Dunnottar Castle is a medieval fortress on a rocky headland along the Scottish North Sea coast near Stonehaven. The ruins spread across several buildings, including a keep, a smithy, and barracks from the 15th and 16th centuries.
William Wallace recaptured the site from the English in 1297 during the Scottish Wars of Independence. In the 17th century, religious prisoners were held here and endured harsh conditions in the vaulted cellars.
The Keith family seat shaped the region of Kincardineshire for centuries and produced scholars as well as military leaders. Visitors today still notice the 14th-century chapel where the noble family held their worship services.
Access follows a narrow path leading down to the clifftop and then up to the fortress. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as the path can become slippery when wet and there are no ramps available.
A group of women smuggled the Scottish Crown Jewels out of the besieged site in 1652 hidden in bundles of linen. The regalia were then concealed beneath the floor of a nearby church until the danger passed.
Location: Aberdeenshire
Location: Dunnottar
Inception: 1400
Address: Stonehaven AB39 2TL, UK
Opening Hours: April-September Monday-Sunday,Holidays 09:00-18:00; October,March Monday-Sunday,Holidays 10:00-17:00; November-January Monday-Sunday,Holidays 10:00-15:00; February Monday-Sunday,Holidays 10:00-16:00; December 25-26,January 01-02 off
Phone: +441569766320
Website: https://dunnottarcastle.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 56.94569,-2.19677
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01
Scotland offers photographers a wide range of landscapes and historical sites. This collection includes coastal formations like Bow Fiddle Rock and Sandwood Bay, medieval fortresses such as Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, and mountains and glens like Glencoe and the Cairngorms. On the Isle of Skye you can find the Fairy Pools and Neist Point Lighthouse, while Glenfinnan Viaduct is known for its stone arches. Within Edinburgh itself are Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, Calton Hill with its monuments, and Dean Village, an old milling settlement by the water. The Kelpies near Falkirk are modern steel horse sculptures. Loch Ness stretches through the Highlands, and Eilean Donan Castle sits on a small island on the west coast. Along the shoreline are ruins like Dunnottar Castle on a rocky headland and Tantallon Castle overlooking the sea. Smaller places like Culross and Pittenweem show traditional architecture and harbors. The Clava Cairns are prehistoric burial sites near Inverness. On the northern coast is Smoo Cave, a cavern partly carved by the sea. Each location has its own light conditions and changes appearance with the seasons, from long summer evenings to low winter sun.
Aberdeen and its region feature a series of sites that testify to several centuries of Scottish history. The city contains religious buildings such as the 14th-century St. Machar Cathedral, cultural institutions like the neoclassical Music Hall from 1822, and the Maritime Museum, as well as green spaces including Duthie Park with its botanical greenhouses. The port, active since the 12th century, remains an important center for maritime industry. A 3.5-kilometer sandy beach borders the North Sea, while the Footdee district retains its 19th-century fishing houses.
Stonehaven Tolbooth
1.7 km
Dunnicaer Hillfort
803 m
Stonehaven Open Air Pool
2.7 km
Cowie Castle
3.3 km
Dunnottar Parish Church
2.3 km
Cowie Bridge
2.6 km
Glenury Viaduct
3.4 km
Town Hall, Stonehaven
2.1 km
Stonehaven, Dunnottar Avenue, Court House And Police Station
1.9 km
White Bridge, Stonehaven
2.1 km
Stonehaven, Arbuthnott Street, St James The Great Episcopal Church
2 km
Fetteresso Church
2.8 km
Stonehaven Harbour
1.6 km
Ship Inn, 5 Shorehead, Stonehaven
1.7 km
Fetteresso Viaduct
3.1 km
Dunnottar House, Walled Garden And Shell House
1.9 km
Marine Hotel, Shorehead, Stonehaven
1.7 km
Dunnottar Castle, Smithy
63 m
Dunnottar Castle, Keep
90 m
Stonehaven, Old Pier, Old Tolbooth, Sundial
1.7 km
Stonehaven, Market Square, Drinking Fountain
2.2 km
Stonehaven, High Street, Town House And Clock Tower
1.7 km
Stonehaven and Dunnotar War Memorial
1.1 km
Old Kirkton Inn
3.3 km
Stonehaven, 7 Carron Terrace
2.1 km
Stonehaven, Market Square, Market Buildings
2.2 km
Fetteresso Old Parish Church And Graveyard
3.4 km
Dunnottar Castle, Entrance Gateway And Guardrooms
94 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes