Dunnottar Castle In Stonehaven, Scotland
Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven is one of those fairytale places in Scotland. The typical movie castle that is located by the sea, on a cliff, and that served as a defense against maritime attacks. Today it is in ruins, but it is still an incredible experience to visit it to travel back several centuries, to the Middle Ages.
Do not hesitate, if you are going to know Scotland, write down the town of Stonehaven in your itinerary, because there you will discover fantastic corners. Among them, the most outstanding and the one that will leave you most impressed is the landscape of the ruins of Dunnottar Castle.
Visit the Dunnottar Castle Ruins
The first thing you should know on your trip to Stonehaven is that the castle, its main tourist attraction, is on the outskirts of the town. Not very far, it is three kilometers, so you can go walking. At a slow pace it will take less than an hour. So you can get to know the whole environment of the city and the castle.
The fortress stands on a cape by the sea, where the impressive cliffs form that give this medieval castle a special air. The views from afar are incredible, but from the castle itself they are even better. Being on top of the cliffs and watching the waves crash will make you feel unique.
The ruins occupy an area of about one hectare. They are located at a height of 50 meters above sea level, so you must prepare to see some gigantic cliffs.
Moreover, this place has become home to many species of seabirds. Thus, on your visit to Stonehaven, in the castle ruins, you will see countless seagulls and other animals that today are the inhabitants of this place.
Movie set
Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven seems to take you back several centuries. It is a movie set and, in fact, it has appeared in very important works. If it sounds familiar when you see it in the photos, remember because it is very likely that you have seen it on the big screen.
The most famous movie shot in Stonehaven, and one of the best known shot in Scotland, is Hamlet. It is based on the work of Shakespeare and its director was the Italian Franco Zeffirelli. The cast of actors is top of the line, as it was attended, among others, by Mel Gibson or Glenn Close.
In addition, Stonehaven Castle served as the inspiration for a famous animated film. This is Brave , from Disney Pixar, which tells the story of Mérida, the daughter of a Scottish king who tries to get out of the stereotype of a princess and struggles to fulfill her dream.
What else can you see in Stonehaven
The town of Stonehaven, in Scotland, is a small village. It won’t take you too long to see it all. Apart from the castle, another historical element is the Clock Tower, which has been telling the time since 1790.
Being a coastal town, its beach and its port stand out. Any time of the year is good to walk through them and admire their beautiful landscapes. You can discover the fishing culture of this small town in the fishermen’s houses. Among them is the Stonehaven Museum, which displays the entire history of the town.
We have already said that next to Dunnottar Castle you can see many species of birds, but there is a nearby place where it is even easier to find them. It is a protected natural area where a large population of birds settle. And, if you are lucky, from the coast you may see a whale or dolphin.
The best way to get to know the natural wealth of Stonehaven, both flora and fauna, is to walk its paths through the outskirts. You can choose any of the routes that will be proposed to you at the tourist office to walk through them and see a multitude of things.
