Old Slains Castle

Old Slains Castle
The remains of Old Slains Castle
Coordinates	57°21′39″N 1°54′52″W / 57.3609°N 1.91438°W / 57.3609; -1.91438Coordinates: 57°21′39″N 1°54′52″W / 57.3609°N 1.91438°W / 57.3609; -1.91438
OS grid reference	NK052300
Built	13th-century
Built for	Comyn, Earl of Buchan
Location in Aberdeenshire

Old Slains Castle (otherwise known as Old Castle Slains) is a ruined castle near Collieston in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

History

The 13th-century castle was originally the property of the Comyn, Earl of Buchan. After the forfeiture of the Comyns in the 14th century it was given to Sir Gilbert Hay by Robert the Bruce in recognition for his support against the English.^[1]

In 1594, Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll led a rebellion which was put down by James VI. The castle was destroyed with gunpowder and cannon.

After returning from exile, Hay built a New Slains Castle on the site of the former Bowness Castle near Cruden Bay.^[1]

Structure

Originally a strongly built 5-storey oblong keep (of which a small part remains), a wall defending the landward side was added in the early 16th century.

Modern day

One wall of the castle remains standing, at approximately 25 metres (82 ft) in height. In the 1950s, a 3-storey house was built within the ruins, adjoining a fishing cottage built in the 18th century. Since 1991 several archaeological excavations have been effected, the last one in 2007.^[1] The remains of the old castle are designated a scheduled ancient monument ^[2]

References