Chillin' out with a view.
Dunnottar Castle. What can I say? Amazing place, so atmospheric. Even on a beautiful sunny day. Spent a magical hour or so here on Monday. I've lived within a half hour drive of this place all my life but never actually visited it till Monday. Odd eh?
The site has been inhabited since Pictish times (5000BC to 700 AD). The surviving buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries but there have been fortresses here since the Dark Ages. Dunnottar has played an important role in Scottish history, not least because of its strategic position overlooking the shipping lanes to the north of Scotland but also due to its position on the narrow coastal strip controlling the northern route to Aberdeen.
William Wallace is said to have led the Scots to victory over the English here in 1296. By all accounts Wallace was said to have imprisoned many of the defeated English soldiers in the castle church and torched it as revenge for many of the brutalities inflicted upon the Scots civilians in the Borders. You can't beat a good gory story to go with a castle eh?
Shame on you, Neil. I've lived oors away fae Dunnottar all my life and been there a fair few times.
ReplyDeleteThere's a great chippy in reasonably nearby Stonehaven. Does mushy peas which is kinda rare in these here parts. Think it might even do a passable chippy sauce (sorry i'm a bit obsessed).
What a fantastic post! Gorgeous photos and great history -- and, yes, a good gory story always goes well with an old castle! I have always been fascinated by all the very old places in Europe, the UK, Scotland, Ireland -- here in the states "old" is, at most, 350 years old give or take. I would have loved to have been able to spend more time and to have seen more. Thanks! this is great!
ReplyDeleteI officially hate you and your blog, Neil. Horrible!
ReplyDelete;-)
I'm suitably chastised Naldo. Talking of chippies, You MUST have tried the Bervie Chipper down the road from here at Inverbervie? Legendary, but alas, no chippy sauce. It does do tartare sauce though, a poor substitute I know, but nevertheless.....
ReplyDeleteSylvia - You're welcome, glad you like the goriness.
MTB - Is that official then?
Thank you for the tour. I felt like a vertual tourist. Beautiful country!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth!
ReplyDeleteNeil, we also live within such a short drive of really amazing things, and only once in a while make the effort to go see them. Then we say (we ALWAYS say, but never learn...) "WHY didn't we come here before?!" It makes us laugh, when we catch ourselves at it again.
That's a wonderful castle you've got close by, and beautiful photos. William Wallace, wow! I have ancestors from East Lothian; I'd love to come over one day, maybe on the ferry.
Excellent series of shots. Looks like you had terrific weather too!
ReplyDeleteTis, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI will send you a certificate and a badge. :D
What a nice place to take pictures. Well done, very nice Skywatch entry here!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Skywatch Friday
Greetings from the Netherlands
Beautiful and very interesting captures
ReplyDeleteOh so beautiful! so often we go far afield to see the sights when there are wonders in our own backyard.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots. What a beautiful view!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Yet another place to wish that I could visit.
ReplyDeletelovely captures of the castle remains...
ReplyDeleteunfortunately the consequences of war often/always end in brutality...now i will have to go and read more about mr. wallace ;)
have a fab weekend.
Gorgeous scenery! Amazing vistas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Pictures. I would love to visit there someday. Thanks for the back story.
ReplyDeleteI love castles..Im so fascinated by fairy tales .amazing pics..thanks for taking us there
ReplyDeleteWay cool castle!
ReplyDeleteYes, gory stories always go well with castles and any old buildings :-)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind chillin' out with that view !!
Cool photos !!
You now know you have to go back and get a sunset image form the castle. I think this is the castle that Charlie Waite photographs in one of his dvd's.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a castle, but I hope to some day. You have an interesting blog. I will be back to read more....
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