Slains Castle. Wednesday 27 August 2014.

After golf today, the majority of the group took the kilometre long walk from the parking area, down the old stone fence lined driveway, to the ruins of Slains Castle.

Not only are the ruins a significant local landmark, but they are a very significant piece of family history for two participants, John and Kim Hay.  The clan Hay were a powerful family in the area, having possessed the land of Slains since the 14th century.

In 1453 Sir William Hay, the clan chief, was made Earl of Erroll by King James II. At this time the local seat of power was Old Slains Castle, some 8 kilometres to the south-west. Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll succeeded in 1585, and converted to Roman Catholicism. He conspired with other Catholic nobles, including the Earl of Huntly with whom he joined in a brief rebellion in 1589. Erroll was declared a traitor in 1594, and Old Slains Castle was destroyed in October 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. Originally named Bowness, it later became known as New Slains.

In the 1830s the 18th Earl commissioned the Aberdeen architect John Smith to remodel the castle. This resulted in a virtual rebuilding of Slains in a Scots Baronial style, including granite facings, in 1836–1837.

The defensive works of the castle include use of the North Sea cliffs; an abyss to the west that functions as a deep impassable moat (shown above) and a ruined rampart (defensive wall) that would have been the main entrance on the south.

In 1913 the 20th Earl of Erroll sold New Slains, ending more than 300 years of occupation by the family. It was purchased by Sir John Ellerman who leased it out. In 1925 the roof was removed to avoid taxes, and the building has deteriorated since.  This is the view south west from the top of the eastern turret.

Bram Stoker regularly visited Cruden Bay, staying at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel as we are.  It is said that Slains Castle was the inspiration for his 1897 novel 'Dracula'.

Looking out through one of many window openings.

The impressive stonework shows what an impressive building it would have been in it's former glory.

The view of the ruin from the North West.

John and Kim Hay standing on the historic building.  It was great to inspect the ruins, but even better to see John and Kim explore them also.  Such family history that is impossible to see in Australia.