Near Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, Dunnottar raises its walls on an all-but-inaccessible promontory ringed by the sea — one of the strongest places in Scotland. Held by the Keiths, Earls Marischal, it was a high place of royal visits before becoming, at the end of the sixteenth century, a residence of prestige.
The rock of the Keiths and the royal visits
A formidable fortress, Dunnottar received a rain of sovereigns: James IV in 1504 (accompanied by Italian minstrels and an African drummer), James V in 1531, Mary Stuart in 1562 and 1564, and James VI who held his privy council here for ten days in 1580. In 1531, James V called it 'one of the principal strengths of our realm'. From 1581, George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal (founder of Marischal College in Aberdeen), built ranges around a courtyard here, turning the stronghold into a Renaissance residence. To see: the 5th Earl's ranges, the enclosed bowling green, the spectacular site.
Did you know?
In 1504, James IV came to Dunnottar with an exotic retinue: Italian minstrels and an African drummer — a sign that the court of Scotland, from the start of the sixteenth century, cultivated the cosmopolitan splendour of Renaissance princes.
Notes
Dunnottar Castle lies near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire; a private site open to the public. Hours to check against the official sources.
Quiz
- What geographical feature does Dunnottar have?
- It is perched on a promontory ringed by the sea
- It is built on a loch island
- It is underground
- Which earl built a Renaissance residence here from 1581?
- George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal
- William Forbes
- Robert Bruce
- Which sovereigns stayed here?
- James IV, James V, Mary Stuart, James VI
- Henry VIII and Elizabeth I
- None