Tour Dramatic Dunnottar Castle
Map of this area

Dramatic and imposing, on its cliff-top perch, 15 miles south of Aberdeen in the Grampian Region, Dunnottar Castle is a breath-taking spectacle, chosen as the location for the film of "Hamlet" starring Mel Gibson.  Between the 9th and 17th centuries the various fortifications were fought over many times. For three centuries the castle was held by the Keith family who were Grand Marischals of Scotland.

In 1297 William Wallace burned alive an English Plantaganet garrison which was holding the castle. Much later, in 1562 and 1564, Mary Queen of Scots visited Dunnottar. The safe keeping of the Scottish Crown Regalia during the siege by Cromwell's Roundheads in 1650 is a famous historical event.
An event of a different kind occured in 1685, when 167 Covenanters were imprisoned in terrible conditions. The Whigs vault where these men and women were kept can be seen today as it was then. After the Rebellion of 1715, the property was fortified and soon fell into disrepair. Beginning in 1925, however, an ambitious programme of restoration was undertaken by the first Viscountess Cowdray. This work is responsible for the present state of the castle, now maintained by the Dunecht Estates.