Slains Castle

On the windswept cliffs just north of Cruden Bay lie the ruins of Slains Castle, a dramatic shell of stone that seems to grow straight out of the landscape. Once a grand home of the Earls of Erroll, today it stands roofless and exposed, open to the elements and to the imaginations of those who wander through its tumbled halls. The setting is spectacular - sheer cliffs dropping into the North Sea, seabirds wheeling in the wind, and the endless roar of waves below. It's no surprise that Slains has long been associated with stories of inspiration and Gothic romance, not least Bram Stoker's Dracula, which is said to have drawn inspiration from his visit here.

A Brief History of Slains Castle

The castle you see today is often called New Slains Castle, built in 1597 by Francis Hay, the 9th Earl of Erroll, after James VI ordered the destruction of the original Slains Castle, located further inland. Over the centuries, it was extended and remodelled, most notably in the 1830s when it was transformed into a baronial-style mansion overlooking the cliffs. For generations, it was the seat of the Earls of Erroll, hosting distinguished guests and standing as a symbol of power on the Buchan coast.

By the early 20th century, however, the family fortunes had faded. In 1916, the contents were sold off, and not long after, the roof (valuable dressed stone) was removed by Sir John Ellerman to avoid paying taxes. Since then, the castle has been left to the elements of sea air and weather, slowly becoming the dramatic ruin that draws visitors today.

Literary Connections

Slains Castle's atmosphere has long caught the imagination of writers. The most famous link is with Bram Stoker, who visited Cruden Bay in the late 19th century and is thought to have drawn inspiration from the castle for parts of Dracula. The dramatic cliff-top ruin, with its dark halls and sheer drops to the sea, echoes through his descriptions of Count Dracula's fortress in Transylvania.

Stoker wasn't alone in being captivated. The Buchan coast and Slains, in particular, have been featured in travel writing and local lore for centuries, contributing to the broader romantic image of Scotland's ruined castles. Even in its roofless state, Slains has continued to fuel the gothic imagination, proving that sometimes a ruin can be more evocative than a building in its prime.

Our visit to Slains Castle

Hot on the heels of our visit to the Bullers of Buchan to the north, my family and I travelled the short journey south to Slains Castle Car Park.

Slains Castle Car Park

There is a good-sized car park near the castle, but beware of the large potholes at the entrance - one was so deep the bottom of our car scraped along the ground!

From the car park, a large metal gate and a long straight track lead to the castle. The walk is a reasonable distance, so if you're not a strong walker or in a wheelchair, keep this in mind before visiting.

Arriving at Slains Castle via a short walk

The hulking visage of the castle grew more impressive as we drew closer. The pathway curves to the left and stops at the castle entrance. It's possible to walk externally around the castle to the left (west side) or to enter directly via the many openings on the south side.

We entered through the south side and explored the numerous corridors, rooms, and towers. It was quite striking to see the blend of older construction styles (mortared medieval red brick) and newer ones, as the castle features building techniques from the 1500s to the 1800s. The newer well-faced granite sections still look relatively pristine and look like they could be new sections, not almost 100 years old.

It's a pity there are no information boards to explain the interior layout of the castle, even a picture of how it once looked would have been great. Some rooms had huge windows; it would have been good to know which rooms they were back in the building's heyday.

Despite being described as a spooky place, we visited on a beautiful spring day and had a picnic on the grass near the castle entrance... it probably would be pretty creepy at night though!

I took the opportunity to take a quick drone flight and took some photos and video.

Videos of Slains Castle

Here are a few video clips from our visit:

     

FAQs on Slains Castle

Is Slains Castle safe to visit?

It was safe when I visited, but I would keep your wits about you if exploring the interior, especially after high winds, as there could be loose masonry. Explore at your own risk and heed any warning signs.

The cliffs surrounding the castle can be hazardous and have led to fatalities in the past, so exercise extreme caution.

Is Slains Castle suitable for disabled visitors?

It's partially suitable - the track to the castle is well-formed and compacted, which may or may not be good for wheelchairs (see the picture of the track). It is quite far (just under 1,000 metres). The interior of the castle is not wheelchair-accessible, but you should be able to get great views of the exterior from many angles.

Is this castle "Old Slains Castle"?

No, Old Slains Castle is a separate ruin found about 6.5 miles to the south. This is a much smaller ruin with a single corner of the castle wall remaining. Still worth a look if you are in the area on a fine day.

Is this castle "New Slains Castle"?

Yes, this structure is also called New Slains Castle.

Are there facilities at Slains Castle?

Other than the car park, there are no facilities, such as toilets, a café, or a visitor centre. The castle has Historic Environment Scotland-listed status, but they don't seem to have information boards or any of the usual HES facilities.

Key Information

• Slains Castle is a ruined mansion house/castle found a short distance from the picturesque village of Cruden Bay.

• Built in 1597 and remodelled/extended in the 1830s.

• The castle has its own dedicated car park (with terrible potholes!).

• The path to the castle is roughly a 1000m walk along a well-made gravel path from the car park.

• The castle has many internal areas to explore, including corridors, rooms and towers.

• The cliffside locale can be dangerous.

Conclusion

Slains Castle was an awe-inspiring ruin that truly sparked my imagination about the level of opulence the people who once lived there must have enjoyed. It's a great ruin and well worth your time while visiting the northeast/Aberdeenshire. Just factor in the short walk and visit on a fine day for the best experience.