Dunnotar Castle [Dunnotter]

Category

Library Item

Item no

24465

Title

Dunnotar Castle [Dunnotter]

Description

The ruins of a stone castle sits upon a cliff top which juts out towards the sea. Jagged rocks in the foreground surround the cliff and give the appearance of cutting the castle off from the mainland. White waves of the sea surround the base of the cliff.

Artist / maker

Valentine, James

Date

1865

Size

11.5 x 17.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Dunnottar Castle is located 2 miles away from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, in Scotland. The stone castle sits upon a cliff top which juts out towards the sea and can only be reached by a steep path. There have been people on the site since Pictish times, and buildings range from 13th to 17th century with the main buildings believed to date from around the 14th century.

The Castle has a colourful history, having been in the hands of many significant owners such as King Donald II, who died in the 9th century defending Dunnotter from the Vikings or later in the hands of the Earls Marischal, when the earl defended the Scottish crown jewels and other Scottish regalia from the army of Oliver Cromwell who wished to destroy them. They held out against Cromwell's men for 6 months and in that time smuggled the Jewels to nearby Kinneff Church where they were buried for safekeeping. The Jewels were eventually taken to Edinburgh Castle once the King returned to the throne.

The castle is currently under the ownership of the Cowdray family who purchased it in 1925. The 1st Viscountess Cowdray embarked on a programme of repair. Since that time the Castle has remained in the Cowdray (Pearson) family. The Hon Charles Anthony Pearson, the younger son of the Third Viscount Cowdray, currently owns and runs Dunnottar Castle which is part of the larger Dunecht Estates.

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Related subjects

Homes > Derelict buildings and excavation sites > Ruins

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Landscape > Land > Cliffs

Landscape > Land > Coastlines

Places > Scotland > Aberdeenshire

Places > United Kingdom > Scotland

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