Slains Castle Reviews (Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

Slains Castle

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

January 29, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo Slains is a very different, extremely unique castle in this review. And as I have already stated, ends up as one of my many 'favourite' Scottish Castles. For this one, it is my favourite 'haunted' castle, though there are no ghost tours that run ...Read more Slains is a very different, extremely unique castle in this review. And as I have already stated, ends up as one of my many 'favourite' Scottish Castles. For this one, it is my favourite 'haunted' castle, though there are no ghost tours that run through it, or particular ghost stories that surround it.

Slains is a lonely ruin, on the north east coast of Scotland on the shore with the North Sea. It is rarely mentioned in travel guides or castle tours, and even my husband who is Scottish had never heard of it until I stumbled onto a picture of it and demanded we make our next trip there.

It too is steeped in so much history I would hardly know where to begin to recount it.

But Slains castle is different from most other Scottish castles or ruins I have visited, and it is for this quality that I rate it so highly in places you should see if you get the chance.

Slains castle is perched in a completely remote little corner of north east Scotland. I heard about it only by chance (my Scottish friends who all pride themselves on their castle knowledge had never even heard of it.) I happened to see a few pictures of the ruins, and also heard that there were plans for renovating this and turning it into accommodation. (apparently plans were approved in 2006, and though at this time it still stands as it is, you should see it as soon as possible to make sure you don’t' show up to another sea side hotel)

I instantly marked it very high on my list of things to see in Scotland, and planned it into my next trip - despite it being decidedly out of the way.

A little more than an hour north of Aberdeen on the coast - just a few minutes from the village of Cruden Bay, it’s not an especially lengthy drive. Still, it is very remote farmland you are driving through to find it, and about half way through you do start wondering if it is worth the trouble to see yet another castle.

The resounding answer to that question is - Yes. Persevere - the ruins that await you at the end of the trail are unlike anything else.

It's not an easy castle to find. It is not a Scottish Heritage Site, and there for there are no real sign posts or markings for it. We circled the area several times before finally stopping to ask a local farmer where the castle was. Incidentally - it lies at the end of a long, bumpy dirt track leading into a field. (If you are in a simple rental car, or any low built car don't try to make it down the path. Just park by the road and walk. It's about a 20 minute walk to the shore, but a very nice one.)

The ruins sit, untouched on the cliffside. There is no fee to get in, no tourist guides of any kind. There isn't even a sign to let you know you are there. But the eerie feel and quiet of the place is unmistakable.

We spent over an hour wandering around the ruins, and only a local walking their dog joined us in that time. The history surrounding Slains is somewhat violent and tragic - and you really feel that in its stones. A very unique, wonderful and haunting place. There is an overwhelming feeling of time, and ages past here - it has the distinct feeling of being forgotten, and it's an experience you should not pass up if given the chance.
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From journal A Local's Essential Scottish Castle Tour...

Slains Castle

by Red Mezz

Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

December 10, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The second castle I am reviewing for this area of the county is similar in that it, too, is a great castle ruin perched on the cliffs of the North Sea in north east Scotland. It too is steeped in so much history I would hardly know where to begin ...Read more The second castle I am reviewing for this area of the county is similar in that it, too, is a great castle ruin perched on the cliffs of the North Sea in north east Scotland. It too is steeped in so much history I would hardly know where to begin to recount it.

But Slains castle is different from most other Scottish castles or ruins I have visited, and it is for this quality that I rate it so highly in places you should see if you get the chance.

Slains castle is perched in a completely remote little corner of north east Scotland. I heard about it only by chance (my Scottish friends who all pride themselves on their castle knowledge had never even heard of it.) I happened to see a few pictures of the ruins, and also heard that there were plans for renovating this and turning it into accommodation. (apparently plans were approved in 2006, and though at this time it still stands as it is, you should see it as soon as possible to make sure you don’t' show up to another sea side hotel)

I instantly marked it very high on my list of things to see in Scotland, and planned it into my next trip - despite it being decidedly out of the way.

A little more than an hour north of Aberdeen on the coast - just a few minutes from the village of Cruden Bay, it’s not an especially lengthy drive. Still, it is very remote farmland you are driving through to find it, and about half way through you do start wondering if it is worth the trouble to see yet another castle.

The resounding answer to that question is - Yes. Persevere - the ruins that await you at the end of the trail are unlike anything else.

It's not an easy castle to find. It is not a Scottish Heritage Site, and there for there are no real sign posts or markings for it. We circled the area several times before finally stopping to ask a local farmer where the castle was. Incidentally - it lies at the end of a long, bumpy dirt track leading into a field. (If you are in a simple rental car, or any low built car don't try to make it down the path. Just park by the road and walk. It's about a 20 minute walk to the shore, but a very nice one.)

The ruins sit, untouched on the cliffside. There is no fee to get in, no tourist guides of any kind. There isn't even a sign to let you know you are there. But the eerie feel and quiet of the place is unmistakable.

We spent over an hour wandering around the ruins, and only a local walking their dog joined us in that time. The history surrounding Slains is somewhat violent and tragic - and you really feel that in its stones. A very unique, wonderful place.
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From journal Aberdeen and Scotland's North East Coast...

Slains Castle

by Jehcekah

Rochester, Minnesota

April 9, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo Finding Slains can be a bit confusing. We parked our car near the docks in Cruden Bay, where there are many beach homes and boats. There are no signs leading to the castle, so you will have to keep your eyes open. After we walked down from the ...Read more

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