アバディーンシャーの洞窟・トップ20

ブラム・ストーカーは、クルーデン・ベイとニュー・スレイン城の周辺で多くの時間を過ごしました。彼はそこで有名な小説『ドラキュラ』のインスピレーションを得ました。🧛‍♂️ 断崖絶壁に沿った素晴らしい散歩道なので、クルーデン・ベイからのアクセスをお勧めします。

Stunning views and a great short walk to the War Memorial.

This famous summer residence of the British royal family can only be visited during spring and early summer with an entrance ticket through the main entrance. This provides access to the castle gardens and the castle ballroom, where a different exhibition is held each year. There is also a café and a gift shop. Since 2025, a few tickets per day have also been available for enthusiasts to visit the castle's private apartments in small groups, including the room where Queen Elizabeth II's last photograph was taken. Very special, but also highly sought-after and expensive.

Scotland is the land of beautiful castles. Castle Fraser is one of them

The first building on the site of New Slains Castle was constructed for Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll, following the destruction of the original Slains Castle. Named Bowness, it was located on a sea cliff close to what is now the village of Cruden Bay. Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll, a convert to Roman Catholicism, had conspired with other Catholic nobles, including the Earl of Huntly, with whom he joined in a brief rebellion in 1589. Erroll was also a signatory of the "Spanish Blanks", documents signed by members of the Catholic nobility of Scotland, and otherwise left to be filled in with the terms of Spanish aid. Erroll was declared a traitor in 1594, and Old Slains Castle was destroyed on the orders of King James VI. After a period abroad Erroll returned to Scotland, and abjured Roman Catholicism in 1597, subsequently returning to royal favour. He abandoned Old Slains and built a courtyard and square tower on the present site, around 1600.

Surprised at how open to the public this is given its proximity to the cliff edge and how perilously perched one of the rooms is over the water below. I'm usually one to scoff/rail at over-eager H&S regs but in this case, I reckon closing off at least part of the castle might be in order. A fence at/around the headland wouldn't go amiss either. Approach at your own risk!

Beautiful ruin in beautiful landscape

The castle is fenced and considered dangerous, but is clearly visible from the road.