Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle, to the south of Stonehaven, is perched 160 feet above sea level and is only linked to the mainland by a narrow stretch of rock.

In 1297 William Wallace trapped the English garrison in the church and burnt them to death. In 1645 the Earl Marishal closed the castle to Montrose who in turned burned Stonehaven.

Cromwell besieges the castle for 8 months in 1652 while the castle was only defended by 35 men. The crown jewels of Scotland were actually smuggled out of the castle during the siege! They were then taken to a church in Kinkel and remained hidden under the floor there until the Reformation in 1660.

In 1684 the castle was used as a Covenanter prison holding 122 men and 45 women. Held in a cellar known as the Whig's Vault they were left without food or water. 25 managed to escape through a window, but 15 were recaptured. Eventually any remaining prisoners were transported to Leith.

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